The ABC reports that a review has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s decision to cut federal funding to the Malek Fahd Islamic School. The review was requested by the school following the Government’s decision to revoke $19 million in federal funding last month due to governance and financial issues. Funding to the school will cease by the end of this week for non-compliance with the requirements of the Australian Education Act 2013 (Cth). The school’s lawyer has confirmed that the school will remain open and will make an application to the Federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal and an application for a stay of the orders revoking the funding until the appeal process has been completed.
A new accountability framework will see Canberra public schools audited every five years to ensure their performance meets ACT Government standards. The ABC reports that the reviews will assess performance against the nine key areas outlined by the National School Improvement Tool: data, school culture, use of resources, the teaching team, curriculum delivery, addressing the needs of individual students, pedagogy and community partnerships.
The ABC reports that students at a Hobart school have been offered counselling after a video emerged on social media of two women attacking a 16-year-old student on school grounds. The student was treated for minor injuries and reported the assault to the police who are now investigating the incident. Police believe that it was a targeted assault or fight and not a random attack, adding that they take all fights on school grounds seriously, particularly when there is social media interaction.
The Age reports that a new state government program in Victoria will see every child screened for dyslexia and other learning disabilities when they start school. Education Minister James Merlino said that students achieved better outcomes when their learning difficulties were identified earlier and they received support. The program involves elements to help teachers to recognise handwriting difficulties and issues related to speech, articulation and auditory processing, and will begin in both government and non-government schools next year.
The ABC reports that a 21-year-old man has sent a high school in Hobart into lockdown after allegedly entering the grounds with a replica gun. While the man is said not to have made any direct threats against staff or students at the school, it is understood that students became concerned after allegedly overhearing comments by the man who was on his mobile phone. The man was taken into police custody and no charges have been laid at this stage.
The Herald Sun reports the number of primary-aged children being expelled in Victoria has doubled in just two years as schools crack down on bad behaviour. Education Department figures show that 26 primary students were expelled last year compared to 13 in 2014. Common reasons for suspension and expulsion include theft, endangering someone, selling, using or possessing drugs or weapons, major property damage and persistently behaving in an ‘unproductive manner’ that interferes with classmates.
The New Zealand Herald reports that New Zealand principals are being schooled up on business by experts in both the private and public sectors. A group of 12 local principals are taking part in the program called Strategic Leadership for Principals which is a free, year-long development program to help develop their management skills in a school context.
RT.com reports that an April Fools’ Day prank in an Iowa high school in the U.S. has hospitalised 26 students and resulted in parents demanding tougher security measure. During the school’s lunch period 60 students were sitting in the cafeteria when a can of pepper spray exploded. The 26 students hospitalised had respiratory symptoms with irritated throats and eyes. Parents of students are questioning how pepper spray was brought into the school in the first place and rallying for better security at the school.