Prue Car, university heads, principals set to speak at annual conference
“Postcode should never determine a child’s opportunity,” said NSW Education Minister Prue Car, as she announced a massive expansion of high-potential and gifted education programs across the state.
Addressing educators and families in her first major speech since returning from leave following breast cancer treatment, Car acknowledged the long-standing popularity of selective education in NSW and noted the state had more selective schools than almost any other jurisdiction in the world.
But concentration has historically narrowed many students’ access to advanced learning opportunities, he said.
“For too long, the education of high potential and talent has been focused on incredibly popular and selective environments,” Car said. “But we know that restricting this gift of education to certain schools in certain areas affects the broader education system. Many families feel that they do not have access to the best public education for their children.”
Demand for enriched learning pathways continues to grow in both metropolitan and regional communities, Car said.
“More parents, families and students want access to high-potential and gifted education,” he said. “My focus was to expand these opportunities to more schools and more communities.”
At the heart of the reforms is a new statewide initiative known as the Inspire program. Under the plan, every state school in NSW will provide structured extension opportunities covering academics, leadership, sport, creative and performing arts.
Car emphasized that elite schools and opportunity classes will no longer be the only path for gifted students pursuing excellence.
“Selective school applicants will now have more options to access extension classes, whether or not they are in an opportunity class or a selective school,” he said.
