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Education programs across Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Policies and guidelines

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (1997)
• Combating Racism Handbook (2002)
• Combating Racism in Schools and the Workplace Policy
• Equity and Diversity Contact Officer
• Equity and Diversity Policy
• Safe Schools Policy Framework (1996)

The ACT Department of Education and Community Services (DECS) School Plan and Services to Indigenous People Strategic Policy specifically make commitments to counter racism and celebrate diversity in department policies and programs.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (1997)

The ACT Department of Education and Community Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy aims to provide guidelines for schools that:

• encourage equality of access and participation in education
• ensure involvement in educational decision making
• achieve equitable and appropriate educational outcomes — especially in literacy and numeracy
• increase understanding and respect for indigenous cultures, including measures to address prejudice and racism in all matters involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.

Combating Racism Handbook (2002)

This handbook provides clear guidelines for handling grievances relating to racism. The handbook outlines the responsibilities of all departmental employees in dealing with complaints of racism.

An Anti-Racism Contact Officer (ARCO) for students is appointed in each school to assist in the implementation of the Combating Racism Handbook. ARCOs may run school-based workshops on the grievance procedures or use support from relevant officers in central office.

Combating Racism in Schools and the Workplace Policy

This policy provides a framework for action to eliminate racism in working environments of the department. It refers to the procedures that staff and students must follow in dealing with racism.

The policy is an overall strategy to eliminate racism which recognises the responsibility of management to ensure that intentional and unintentional discrimination is counteracted, proper standards of conduct are maintained at all times and that claims of racist behaviour are investigated and resolved speedily and constructively.

Equity and Diversity Contact Officer

Each school or workplace has a designated Equity and Diversity Contact Officer for staff for advice and support in matters of equal employment opportunities.

Equity and Diversity Policy

In matters relevant to employment, this policy aims to achieve greater equity and improved efficiency and effectiveness. The policy provides procedures which ensure that skills acquisition, development and advancement in the department are based on merit principles which are fair and open according to abilities, skills and personal qualities and free from discrimination, patronage or favouritism. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs are aimed at the elimination of unjustified discrimination in all aspects of human resource management.

Safe Schools Policy Framework (1996)

The purpose of the ACT Department of Education and Community Services Safe Schools Policy Framework is to provide clear support and direction from Government for ACT Government schools. The framework emphasises positive student management and minimises violence, bullying and all forms of harassment.