Teachers, school leaders, students, parents, carers, and community representatives from all sectors of the ACT education system will today discuss the future of education in the capital.

“The Future of Education Ideas Summit marks the halfway point in the ACT Government’s 10-year Future of Education Strategy,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, said. “It is an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, and to look ahead and plan for the next five years.”

Through panels and roundtable discussions, Summit participants will reflect on their experiences of school education, talk about what schools could look like in five years’ time, and discuss how to take education forward in the ACT.

The Summit will promote student voices, Ms Berry said. Primary, high school, and college students from the public and non-government sectors will participate in discussions with school and system leaders, parent, university, and community representatives.

Ms Berry said the ACT Government believes every child deserves a great education and the life chances that flow from it.

“When I came into the education portfolio, my first priority was to address the issue of equity, and to ensure that every child, no matter their background, had the chance to succeed at and beyond school,” Ms Berry said.

“That led the ACT Government to holding a big community conversation to inform the development of the Future of Education Strategy, our 10-year roadmap for education in the ACT.”

In the five years of the Strategy, the ACT Government had introduced the Future of Education Equity Fund; free Chromebooks and internet access; universal free preschool for three-year-olds; the Affiliated Schools Program with the University of Canberra; enhanced access to vocational education through the HeadStart program; and greater access to STEM programs through the development of the Academy of Future Skills, Ms Berry said.

“But education never stands still, and I look forward to working in partnership with the entire ACT education sector to build the next five years of future-focused education in the ACT.”