Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) today called on Federal Election candidates to focus on policies that benefit all students regardless of the educational sector they belong to.
AISWA Executive Director, Chris Massey, emphasised that all students deserve equitable support and funding.
“There has long been bipartisan support for parental educational choice in this country be it government, Independent, or Catholic,” Mr Massey said.
“Despite this longstanding consensus, and the fact that Independent schools are the fastest-growing sector, the Independent sector continues to face uninformed criticism from ideological detractors,” he added.
“Independent schools help reduce pressure on the public education system while at the same time ensuring every child has access to the support that aligns with their needs."
“We don’t presume to tell parents how to vote,” Mr Massey said. “But we stand firmly in support of parents right to choose a school that best meets their children’s needs.”
AISWA, in partnership with Independent Schools Australia, is leading the charge on the School Choice Counts campaign in WA, advocating for school choice on behalf of our sector at the national level.
AISWA represents over 160 diverse Independent schools across Western Australia, employing in excess of 14,000 dedicated staff and educating more than 90,000 students from all walks of life. Many of these schools are no-fee or low-fee institutions including remote Aboriginal schools, Curriculum and Reengagement in Education (CARE) schools and faith-based schools ensuring accessibility for families from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.