Media release from Every Child Counts

1000 days to get it right for every child: Budget education decisions reinforce need for child-centred policy processes

Every Child Counts* is calling for more robust government decision-making that invests in children to prevent poor outcomes like educational failure and assesses the likely impact of policies on children through the use of Child Impact Assessment tools.

“The recent Budget decision to increase class-sizes is an excellent example of what happens when policy is made without any robust consideration of the impact on children, or coordination with other policies. If ever there was evidence of the need for a Children’s Action Plan and child-centred policy processes this is it,” says Deborah Morris-Travers, Manager of Every Child Counts.

“One minute the government says it is intent on addressing educational failure and improving quality, next minute it announces increasing class sizes. This apparently ad hoc, incoherent decision-making runs the risk of significantly disadvantaging many children – especially the most vulnerable.

“Schools are under immense pressure to meet the remedial education needs of children who are failing, and to ensure that disabled children can access their right to education. Increased class sizes will mean the very children who need additional support in the classroom won’t get it.

“There is ample evidence that educational success is increased where children get a good start in the early years, have adequate incomes and arrive at school with a full tummy, have educated parents who engage in their child’s education, and where schools are relevant and responsive to the needs of children. These are the measures most likely to prevent educational failure in the first place.

“We agree there is a need to improve the quality of education – both in early childhood and in schools. This requires good training and ongoing professional development, leadership within schools, and sufficient staff levels.

“Every Child Counts is keen to know what evidence informed Budget 2012 and what kind of analysis was applied to decisions impacting on children, including class sizes. It is time for government policy processes to robustly assess the impact of decisions on children, based on evidence, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and thorough monitoring of child wellbeing,” concludes Ms Morris-Travers.

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