NSW Labor to lift ban on International Baccalaureate in public schools

·

A Minns Labor Government would lift the ban on NSW public schools being able to run the International Baccalaureate (IB) to provide equitable access to the programme across all school sectors. 

The IB offers four courses. The Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme are offered alongside the NSW curriculum from the early years through to year 10. The Diploma Programme and the Career-related Programme are offered as alternate year 11 and 12 pathways to the HSC. 

International Baccalaureate programmes are currently only available in non-government schools in NSW. Lifting the restriction will bring NSW into alignment with public schools in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, which all have the option of running an IB programme. 

Allowing the introduction of the IB was recommended by a 2017 NSW Department of Education report, which the NSW Liberal Government did not release to the public. 

The report stated the program’s introduction “…would provide equity of access and will achieve a school and system improvement objective.”

It also stated the implementation of the programme would be “…feasible, possible, and practical.”

Under Labor’s plan, individual public schools would be able to lodge expressions of interest to trial the course or courses that suit their school.  

Labor’s plan for schools and education in NSW: 

This is just the latest announcement from Labor including: 

  • Ending the chronic underfunding of NSW public schools;
  • Converting 10,000 temporary teachers to permanent positions to reduce the reliance on temporary teachers;
  • Cutting admin hours for teachers by five hours per week;
  • Ending the failed overseas recruitment program and redirecting resources towards recruiting NSW teaching students into schools; 
  • Creating a permanent, targeted Literacy and Numeracy tutoring program across primary and high schools
  • Banning the use of mobile phones in all NSW public schools to reduce distraction, cyberbullying and improve education outcomes; 
  • Labor’s Growth Areas Schools Plan which will deliver new and upgraded schools in growing areas across New South Wales.
  • New co-located preschools, with 100 new public preschools and 50 new and expanded preschools at Catholic and Independent schools; and
  • Expanding co-ed school access for all families so every parent has the choice of where to send their children.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Democracy on the big screen: Youth shine at the 13th Greek Student Film Festival

13th Greek Student Film Festival - staged within Sydney's 30th Greek Film Festival - filled the cinema with laughter and plenty of Greek.

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

You May Also Like

Hundreds of artefacts will be repatriated to Greece following legal battle

The Greek Culture Ministry has announced hundreds of statues, figurines, sculptures, vases and accessories dating will be returned to Greece.

Project works advance for second Turkey-Greece bridge

This new bridge over the Maritsa (Meriç) River aims to enhance transportation and infrastructure between the two nations.

First Diaspora Youth Conference in Athens highlights Greek Australian voices

The 1st Diaspora Youth Conference, organised by Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took place at the "Hellenic Cosmos" Cultural Centre.