Good response to Bendigo education Forum

 Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said she is delighted at the turnout in Bendigo today for a forum as part of an independent review into regional, rural and remote education in Australia.
“It was great to have the depth of discussion at the Capital Theatre on a range of issues relative to education in country areas.
“Everything from primary school and secondary school issues to using technology to assist in the provision of high quality teaching, particularly in specialities that are hard to source at times in regional areas, including physics.
Having La Trobe University at the Forum detailing its expertise around the provision of regional higher education and agriculture education was incredibly important.
“It is useful to note that La Trobe prioritises accommodation at their own campuses to those students from rural and regional areas which unfortunately isn’t the case with all universities in Australia.
“There were a range of issues that I am sure Professor Halsey heard for the first time and also the re-enforced message that sometimes the system uses a one size fits all approach when every country community is different and we need to have a range of responses to ensure that every single student in Regional Australia reaches their full potential”.
At the forums throughout Australia, Professor John Halsey of Flinders University is considering the challenges, barriers and successes that impact on students’ education outcomes, including transition to further study, training and employment.
Senator McKenzie said Professor Halsey has so far held forums in wide-ranging areas of the country including Armadale, Narrabri and Dubbo, in NSW and Smithton, Queenstown and Strahan in Tasmania.
“Before coming to Bendigo he held forums in Rockhampton, Emerald and Longreach in Queensland and will hold the next forum in Wodonga tomorrow.
“These forums are an important opportunity for regional residents to have their say on important educational issues,” Senator McKenzie said.
Professor Halsey is expected to deliver his report to the Government by the end of the year.
For further information about the independent review into regional, rural and remote education visit: https://www.education.gov.au/independent-review-regional-rural-and-remote-education.