Release
Children with disability face deep-seated discrimination in Victorian schools, Monash University report shows - Monash University
29 Jun 2018 5:00 AM
EMBARGO 5AM, JUNE 29: Victorian
children with disability continue to experience discrimination, exclusion and
disadvantage in mainstream government schools, according to a report by the
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University.
Sarah
Joseph, Director of the Castan Centre, said that while the Victorian Government
has taken positive steps in recent years to improve educational outcomes for
students with disability, shortcomings persist, potentially breaching
children’s rights under Victorian and Commonwealth human rights and
anti-discrimination laws.
“Children
with disability have the right to access a quality education on the same basis
as their peers without disability,” Professor Joseph said.
“The
Victorian government - and government schools - are legally responsible for
realising these rights, but our research shows that too often the system is
letting children and their families down.”
The
report is based on almost 100 interviews with parents, former students, school
staff and others, as well as a detailed review of relevant laws and policies.
It
also includes more than 30 recommendations
designed to improve the educational experience for children with disability,
which the Castan Centre hopes the government will agree to implement.
Findings
reveal that students face significant challenges in mainstream schools. “There
are many obstacles facing children with disability and their families right
now,” said report co-author Dr Claire Spivakovsky of Monash University’s
Faculty of Arts.
“Children
are being turned away or discouraged from enrolling, they’re not receiving the
support they need to participate fully in their education, and they’re being
socially isolated,” she said.
“These
outcomes are linked to flaws in the way that funding is provided for students
with disability, and the support and training provided to teachers and support
staff is also inadequate.”
A
key finding of the report is that successive governments’ policy of devolving
responsibility to schools is hampering inclusive education in mainstream
schools. Schools are entrusted to assess their own progress, and face few
consequences for failing to meet their legal and policy obligations.
“We
think many parents would be shocked to learn that the Department of Education
and Training does not have comprehensive systems in place to make sure that all
schools are doing the right thing by children with disability,” said Eleanor
Jenkin, Policy Manager at the Castan Centre.
“It’s
even unclear which Department policies schools must follow, and which are
optional. While some schools are doing a great job, others are manifestly
failing their students with disability.”
“The
legal obligation to protect and realise the rights of these children rests not
only with schools, but also with the Department of Education and Training and
the entire Government of Victoria. They must properly monitor the actions of
schools, and hold to account those who are failing their most vulnerable students,”
Ms Jenkin said.
Although
this report relates only to Victorian schools, a number of inquiries have noted
similar issues in other states and territories.
The
Centre will be launching the report, titled: “Improving Educational Outcomes for Children with Disability in
Victoria”, at an event
today.
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Venue: Colin
Biggers and Paisley, Level 23/181 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
-ENDS-
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Media
Monash University
T: +61 3 9903 4840 E: [email protected]