HEN would like to see VHEAC made permanent to ensure that all home education policy decisions, requirements and supporting documents receive input from experienced home educators.
The current position of the major political parties is:
- ALP: Minister Merlino says VHEAC will run through to mid-2019 when VHEAC members will “collectively decide on the future format and functions of the committee.” While that doesn’t rule out an ongoing VHEAC, it is not a commitment.
- LNP: In August 2017, then Shadow Minister Nick Wakeling announced that a Liberal National government would have a standing Home Education Advisory Committee. Shadow Minister Tim Smith confirmed yesterday that it remains Liberal policy.
HEN’s Miriam Mollema and Sue Wight met with Tim Smith yesterday and discussed a range of possible supports to home educators which we asked the LNP to consider:
- access to TAFE funding without having to deregister (undertaking short and part-time courses)
- open access to Virtual School Victoria (formerly known as DECV)
- voucher system for resources
- funded support service
- home ed library
You may wish to discuss this with your local MP ahead of the November election.
HEN’s correspondence with the Minister is below:
[gview file=”https://home-ed.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/HEN-to-Minister-June2018.pdf”]
[gview file=”https://home-ed.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Minister-response-Aug-2018.pdf”]