If there’s anywhere that can tell stories about educating children from a remote perspective, it’s Alice Springs.
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It’s the perfect place to host the 170 delegates making their ways from all round Australia to take part in the 46th annual Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association federal conference on August 2 and 3.
Themed From the Heart of Australia, for the Future of our Kids, some 97 motions, ranging from the financial pressures being experienced by geographically isolated families trying to educate children to the need for an early childhood curriculum that’s developmentally appropriate, will be debated.
Communications issues have topped the list in past years and it’s the same again this year, with 22 motions on the topic submitted by branches Australia-wide.
Federal president, Wendy Hick said it was fortunate that representatives from nbn co and Telstra would be in attendance for such a topical subject.
“Interacting with delegates and guests will give both organisations a firsthand look at how our members are coping with expensive internet plans and poor mobile reception,” she said.
Northern Territory ICPA patron, Jan Heaslip will open the conference set in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on Wednesday morning.
Ms Heaslip is a passionate advocate for education issues in remote areas, receiving an OAM in 1993 for services to education for children in the outback.
Wednesday morning’s keynote address comes from Emeritus Professor, John Halsey, who is leading the independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education announced by the federal government in early March.
At the time, deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce said the aim of the review was to get more regional, rural and remote students to “not just be successful at school but to go on to further study, training and employment.”
Wendy Hick said affordability and accessibility were the main issues that would be pushed by federal ICPA when it took part.
She said Professor Halsey would be keen to meet members and discuss the upcoming review.
While the achievements of the last 12 months, including a 50 per cent increase to the Assistance for Isolated Children additional boarding allowance, implemented at the start of 2017, were welcomed by ICPA, Ms Hick said much work still needed to be done to ensure rural families were able to access appropriate and affordable education for their children.
The five main areas that branches from around Australia are focusing on are:
- The failure of the AIC allowance to keep pace with the cost of boarding
- The immense impact internet access has on families and distance education
- The guarantee of a suitable telephone service for those living outside cities, and maintenance of this service
- Ensuring all young Australians can participate in early childhood learning no matter where they live, including the call for AIC to include four-year-olds beginning their formal education
- The pursuit of the Distance Education Teaching Allowance to recognise distance education tutors for providing what the government cannot.
More information can be found on the conference app “ICPA Federal Conference 2017”, on the ICPA website, on Facebook, and on Twitter with the hashtag #ICPAconf17
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
