Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

EDUCATION ACT 2004 (NO. 17 OF 2004) - SECT 7

    (1)     Everyone involved in the administration of this Act, or in the education of children of school age in the ACT, is to apply the principle that every child has a right to receive a high-quality education.

    (2)     Without limiting subsection (1), a high-quality education is based on the following principles:

        (a)     school education and home education provide a foundation for a democratic society;

        (b)     school education and home education should—

              (i)     aim to develop every child's potential and maximise educational achievements; and

              (ii)     promote children's enthusiasm for lifelong learning and optimism for the future; and

              (iii)     encourage parents to take part in the education of their children, and recognise their right to choose a suitable educational environment; and

              (iv)     promote respect for and tolerance of others; and

              (v)     recognise the social, religious, physical, intellectual and emotional needs of all students; and

              (vi)     aim over time to improve the learning outcomes of students so that the outcomes are free from disadvantage because of economic, social, cultural or other causes; and

              (vii)     encourage all children to complete their senior secondary education; and

              (viii)     provide access to a broad education; and

              (ix)     recognise the needs of Indigenous students;

        (c)     innovation, diversity and opportunity within and among schools should be encouraged;

        (d)     effective quality assurance mechanisms should be applied to school education;

        (e)     government funding should be directed to children through their schools or school system;

        (f)     the partnership between the home, community and educational providers should be recognised;

        (g)     school communities should be given information about the operation of their schools.

    (3)     Everyone involved in the administration of this Act, or in the education of children of school age in the ACT, is to apply the principle that school education—

        (a)     recognises the individual needs of children with disabilities; and

        (b)     should make appropriate provision for those needs, unless it would impose unjustifiable hardship on the provider of the school education.

    (4)     Corporal punishment is not allowed in ACT schools.