Qld educator to review non-state school accreditation
Robyn Wuth |
Queensland school accreditation rules will be reviewed by an experienced educator after controversy surrounding a Christian college’s gender and sexuality contracts.
The state government has appointed Cheryl Vardon to lead the independent review of the accreditation framework for non-state schools in Queensland.
It comes after Brisbane’s Citipointe Christian College made national headlines when it sent parents gender and sexuality contracts for students.
The contract demanded families denounce homosexuality and that students identify by birth gender, or risk being excluded from the school.
Education Minister Grace Grace said the government wanted to ensure families can choose the best school for their children.
“Non-state schools play an essential, valued role in fostering this choice and providing quality education for Queensland children and young people,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Now is the right time to make sure the accreditation framework is fit for purpose, supports the provision of high-quality education and ensures public confidence is maintained in our non-state schools.”
Ms Vardon, formerly Queensland Family and Child Commissioner, brings expertise in education, regulatory frameworks, and systems that protect vulnerable children and young people to the position, the minister said.
The review will also consider if accreditation and eligibility criteria “reflect and meet government, community and stakeholder expectations” of standards.
The rules for state schools in Queensland and non-state schools in other jurisdictions will be considered as will other reviews, reforms or inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
AAP