Education and Teaching Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

The New South Wales Education Minister, Mr Adrian Piccoli has introduced the Education and Teaching Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 into Parliament. The Bill will see a new education authority with the power to close non-compliant schools and conduct random unannounced inspections in all schools across New South Wales, including private and religious schools. 

Background

In 2014, the Board of Studies and NSW Institute of Teachers amalgamated to form the Board of Studies, Teacher and Educational Standards (BOSTES). The body had responsibility for school curriculums across NSW, the HSC, and teaching and regulatory standards. In March 2016, Mr Piccoli conducted a review to consider the effectiveness of this merged body and to ensure that the organisation is equipped with the necessary resources to meet emerging challenges. 

An expert panel led by Professor Bill Louden, AM, carried out the review and submitted recommendations necessary for the board to modernise its governance structures. It also proposed the adoption of a streamlined and risk-based approach to regulation with an outcome-focused approach, as well as better leveraging national reforms, data and research. According to Mr Piccoli “underpinning the recommendations was the need for enhanced accountability and decision-making, and for the board to ensure its processes and structures can best support quality teaching and learning.”

The Bill

Primarily, the Bill will rename the BOSTES as the NSW Education Standards Authority. It will also endow the Authority with enhanced powers to lift school compliance and teacher quality with the ultimate aim of improving student results. The new Authority will subject independent schools to an increased number of random and risk-based audits. Ultimately, the body will have the power to issue warnings and, in the event of continued non-compliance, deregister any school. Mr Piccoli said:

However he insists that the measures do not entail a punitive approach. He exclaimed that it was not about closing schools but instead about finding the weaknesses in the system and helping schools address those weaknesses. He touted that the bill “provides a series of measured and appropriate elements that will strengthen the New South Wales education system.” He further stressed that the reforms will allow NSW education to meet the international standards set by Shanghai and Finland. 

The changes have been welcomed by the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the Catholic Education Commission of NSW, as well as the NSW Business Chamber.

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Education and Teaching Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, Bill, Explanatory Notes, and Second Reading Speech as published on TimeBase LawOne

New education authority in NSW with power to close schools and run inspections