Friday, 11 May 2012

A report released by Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Public Policy Institute (PPI) has found the Gonski Review is unsound, at least from a public inquiry perspective.

The report, What should we do with Gonski?, was commissioned by Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) and seeks to assess the Gonski Review and its recommendations from a public policy perspective.

Professor Scott Prasser, Executive Director of the PPI and a public policy and inquiry expert, said as a policy developer, the Gonski Review has failed to deliver policy proposals that are not only achievable, but also understandable and convincing to the broader public - a necessary element of major policy change.

“What is disappointing about the whole Gonski Review process is that so much was promised, so much was needed, so much was expected and, at least according to this paper’s assessment, so little has been delivered,” he said. “The review did not focus on the real issues like teacher training, institutional flexibility, competition, parental investment, choice and diversity.

“Given the numerous other major inquiries that have been held in education in the past, there is no good reason for the review processes not to have been better conducted and for the final report not to have been a sound base for making changes where needed to the present system.”

PPI has a national focus and is committed to engaging widely with a range of issues and groups.

The Institute has released three authoritative research reports over the past year looking at aspects of education and school funding - specifically Education and Equity, Choice and Values in Education and Parental Contributions to Education, which can be found here: www.acu.edu.au/323354

For comment on the report contact Professor Scott Prasser on (02) 6209 1248/9 or at scott.prasser@acu.edu.au

Gonski report

Return