Teacher test registrations open today

The most significant improvement in teacher education in a generation has taken a major step forward with registrations opening today and the appointment of the administrator for the National Literacy and Numeracy Test. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said registrations for the Turnbull Government’s literacy and numeracy test for new Australian teachers open…

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Labor has child care questions to answer

Opposition Education Spokesperson Kate Ellis has for the third time in four days confirmed that Labor has no plans for child care. Ms Ellis only seems interested in swiping from the sidelines and standing in the way of the Turnbull Government’s child care package that will benefit around one million families.    If Ms Ellis…

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Labor’s child care delays hurt families

Claims today by Opposition Education Spokesperson Kate Ellis confirm changes made by the previous Labor Government have accelerated costs for Australian families but that they offer no plan to fix the mess they left.    The Opposition continues to stand in the way of child care reforms that will benefit around one million families. Labor…

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Students want better support, materials: New survey

More than one in four Australian university students want better support or higher quality learning materials according to the latest national snapshot of student experiences. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the 2015 Student Experiences Survey should help focus efforts so more students are supported to finish their course. Minister Birmingham said that…

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Ellis’ analysis a shambles

Opposition Early Childhood spokesperson Kate Ellis has taken another hit to her credibility on child care after she hitched her wagon to analysis of the Turnbull Government’s child care reforms, analysis that itself admits is incomplete and flawed. “New independent research has revealed that Malcolm Turnbull is spending an extra $3 billion on a child…

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School compliance with the Education Act

“In May 2015 my department initiated a formal review into six school authorities affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) following ongoing concerns about their independence, financial management and governance arrangements. “As a result of this review, on 13 November 2015, my department issued a Notice of proposed decision to each of the…

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Australia’s largest school poetry competition opens

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said entries were now open for the 2016 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards, Australia’s oldest and largest poetry competition for school aged children. “The Dorothea Mackellar Awards are a great opportunity for students to express themselves through poetry and to explore a form of creativity and writing that can…

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College coders honoured in Cyber Security Challenge

Twelve top college coders have “raised the bar” for other young Australians according to the Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham, as demand for cyber security skills booms. Minister Birmingham said that along with the Turnbull Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, the Cyber Security Challenge promoted a greater focus on science, technology, engineering…

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Universal access to early education for all Australian children

All states and territories have signed up to the Turnbull Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, unlocking $840 million in federal funding for quality preschool programmes across the country. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the National Partnership guarantees funding for 600 hours of quality preschool and…

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