The Border home-schooling community has banded together to oppose the Victorian Government’s push to increase regulation.
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A draft plan proposes the Victorian Regulation and Qualifications Authority be authorised to review family arrangements “to make sure they are providing a quality education to their children”.
Families would need to submit a one-off learning plan to the VRQA and indicate they are continuing their registration each year.
Wodonga mum Veronica McPherson, who home-schools five-year-old Josie, said the plans were unjustified.
“In the impact statement, the government talks about home-schoolers who may not be getting a good education and are disadvantaged, but there’s no evidence to support that,” she said.
“Studies from the United States show increasing regulation has no impact on the outcome of schooling.”
Mrs McPherson said the plan, which comes into affect mid-2017, was “the opposite of what home-schooling is about for a lot of people.”
“Home-schooling means you’re not restricted to a year level,” she said.
“When Josie was four, she completed six-to-seven-year-old level maths.
“Because she’s following her interests, it’s fun and she’s so engaged with it.
“Children do not need to be told how to learn or when to learn it.”
Mrs McPherson was concerned about potential ramifications for those who didn’t comply with regulation.
“They will ask you to submit evidence of what you’re doing and they can also have the power to interview you in your home,” she said. “If you fail to provide that information, they can cancel your registration.”
Catherine Little, who provides support to other home-school families on the Border, said up until this point Victoria had provided the most freedom.
“Many people looking at moving to the area would choose to live in Victoria … that will probably change,” she said.
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said the plan was about ensuring the 4500 students who are home-schooled across the state get the same education as children learning in a classroom.
“It’s important we strike the right balance between making sure home-schooled students get the best education and giving families freedom to deliver their child’s education,” he said.
“We have doubled the length of time for community consultation, to make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their say.”
The consultation period closes on February 28.
For more information about the plan or to submit feedback, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/legislation.
