The Minister for Education has accepted the aims of a national strategy’s seven key recommendations for increasing participation in higher education among regional and remote students.
The Minister, Dan Tehan said an official response to 33 actions proposed by the advisory group that developed the strategy would follow.
Mr Tehan said many of the actions involved a different approach to current policy settings; required possible reform of the sector and budgetary considerations.
“These actions also require engagement with State and Territory Governments and different portfolio areas,” Mr Tehan said.
Among the recommendations made by the expert advisory group were improved access to tertiary study options for students in regional, rural and remote areas; improved access to financial support for greater fairness and more equal opportunity; and improvements to the quality and range of student support services in regional, rural and remote areas.
The group said there was a need to build aspiration, improve career advice and strengthen regional, rural and remote schools to prepare students for success better — and to improve participation and outcomes for regional, rural and remote students from equity groups including low SES students, Indigenous students, students with disability and remote students.
The report also found a need to strengthen the role of tertiary education providers in regional development and establish mechanisms to coordinate the implementation effort and support monitoring of the strategy.
The 99-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
