Can we choose when our children start school?

[seventh_heaven]

Below is a report from Julie Bishop / Education Australia website:

National approach to early childhood education
18 September 2006


The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP today welcomed calls from the Federal Labor Party for a national approach to the issue of early childhood education.

“The Coalition Government has taken a leadership position on this issue through the Council of Australian Governments’ National Reform Agenda under the Human Capital Stream. I strongly urge State and Territory Labor Governments to put the welfare of young Australians ahead of parochial political agendas,” Minister Bishop said.

“State and Territory Education Ministers missed a golden opportunity in early July when they rejected the recommendations of a report into the benefits of a nationally-consistent optional Common School Starting Age.

“This has been a topic of debate and discussion since 1989, and it was disappointing that State and Territory Governments again avoided making a final decision.”

Minister Bishop agreed with the recent OECD report finding that Australia needed a “clearer vision” for the provision of early childhood education.

“It is unacceptable in country with Australia’s relatively small population to have a fractured and inconsistent system that can change dramatically between States.”

Minister Bishop released a report on 4 September titled, Pathways to a Profession: Education and training in early childhood education and care, which investigated career development for people working in the early childhood education and care sector across Australia.

“The Federal Government is also providing leadership on this issue however State Governments have primary responsibility for regulating and managing pre-school and childcare delivery throughout Australia,” Minister Bishop said.

“This report from the OECD is a wake-up call to State Governments about the need for them to invest in the critical area of early childhood education.”

The fact that Australia does not have a common school starting age really bothers me! It creates problems for children that move interstate. Why hasn't the government considered the impact that has on childrens education and lives?

It seems ridiculous that the federal goverment cannot use their power and their funding to research the best appropriate age and educational program for our children.

My fear is that the indidvidual states set their 'school starting age' based on their own agendas and NOT on the best interests of the children. Could it be that they base choose the age based on the available funding or available class rooms?

My daughter will be 6.5 years old before she attends school. Children are sponges in the early years. Could it be that our children are missing out on educational opportunities based on poorly made decisions by the states?

Despite what age we agree on ... research and decisions need to be made. Why is it that Julie Bishop doesn't have the power to insist on this. She is after all the Educational Minister of Australia...