Print friendly version

Education programs across Australia

Victoria

Training and development

• English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Mainstream
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Week
• Equal Opportunity Commission Partnership Program
• Harmony Day
• Koorie Education Development Officers
• Koorie Intern Teacher Program
• Managing Diversity Quarterly Forum
• Multicultural Education - Professional Development Modules
• Regional Diversity Committees
• Statewide Koorie Educator Conference
• Statewide Multicultural Education Professional Development Programs
• Training in Merit and Equity

English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Mainstream

This course, developed in South Australia, is available to teachers in all sectors, and is designed for teams of ESL qualified and non-ESL qualified teachers, to raise awareness of, and develop strategies for, working with ESL learners in mainstream classrooms. The course is conducted by trained tutors, takes twenty-five hours to complete and is usually conducted over ten weeks. The Department of Education & Training (DE&T) provides funding for replacement teachers for government school teachers training as tutors, and supports the delivery of courses to schools.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Week

Each year each of the four metropolitan regions is supported by the Department of Education & Training (DE&T) to hold an ESL Week.

ESL Week provides a forum to acknowledge and celebrate what is happening in schools in this area as well as promoting cultural understandings and interchange. Although ESL Week is celebrated at different times and in slightly different ways across the four regions, each region provides a range of professional development programs for teachers of ESL learners during this week.

Equal Opportunity Commission Partnership Program

A training program on the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 is delivered in partnership with the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission to all school principals. The training includes delivery of specific workshop modules on race, discrimination, harassement and valuing diversity. In 2002-03, a focus of the training will include the provisions of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. Monitoring of training occurs through quarterly Department of Education & Training (DE&T) meetings with the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission.

Harmony Day

Harmony Day, held on March 21, is an event promoted by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) to celebrate Australia's successful record of community harmony.

In 2002, a circular was sent to all central and regional Department of Education & Training (DE&T) staff, informing them of the event and encouraging them to celebrate Harmony Day in their work unit. Harmony Day kits (provided by DIMIA) were distributed through the DE&T Equity and Diversity Unit.

Koorie Education Development Officers

Koorie Education Development Officers provide advice and support to schools as well as supporting the curriculum and professional development function of the Regional Koorie Education Committee. There are fifteen outposted officers located across Victoria.

Koorie Intern Teacher Program

The Koorie Intern Teacher Program trains Koorie people as teachers with training delivered through Deakin University. The final intake of interns is currently completing their training.

Managing Diversity Quarterly Forums

The Diversity Forum consists of principal consultants and other staff from all school regions meeting to discuss issues in relation to diversity in schools. The purpose of the forums is to provide an avenue for policy discussion, professional development and networking in relation to the diversity matters in the human resources area. The forums increase the skills, knowledge and capabilities of educational leaders in responding effectively to the needs and opportunities presented by an increasingly culturally diverse Victorian community.

Multicultural Education - Professional Development Modules

Two credit-bearing professional development modules entitled Multicultural Education in the Classroom and Curriculum and Managing Cultural Diversity Across the Whole School have been developed and trialled to support schools to implement the Multicultural Policy for Victorian Schools. Each module consists of five units delivered over fifteen contact hours.

The first module introduces practising teachers to concepts of multicultural education and the practical implementation issues of incorporating multicultural perspectives. It then presents a broad view of multiculturalism, including the fundamental skills and understandings all students need to acquire for work, citizenship and community life in the context of local diversity and a globalised economy, where communities are linked to the global web of information and communication technologies.

The second module introduces educational leaders, teachers with a career interest in educational leadership and members of school councils to the role of multiculturalism in educational management. The module begins with a broad focus on changes in management practices in private and public sector organisations that reflect and respond to the growing significance of diversity. The module then focuses on managing diversity in schools, including fulfilling the equity or opportunity promise of education, accepting diversity amongst students and communities, and creating a learning environment relevant to students about to enter a diverse and globalised future.

Regional Diversity Committees

Regional groups comprising principals, teachers and school support officers sponsor managing diversity training and development initiatives which increase awareness of the principles of diversity and inclusive work practices aimed at improving individual, team or whole of school performance. Initiatives are aimed at integrating diversity principles and practices in a range of school improvement areas such as people management, development of leadership teams, and increasing school capabilities for a flexible and innovative workforce.

Statewide Koorie Educator Conference

A statewide Koorie Educator Conference is held annually. The conference brings together Koorie Educators from across the state to discuss priorities and strategies in Koorie education, to access professional development, and to identify further professional development needs.

Statewide Multicultural Education Professional Development Programs

A range of professional development activities is provided at the Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre for principals, school leadership teams and teachers, on issues relating to cultural and linguistic diversity. These activities enable participants to explore the benefits of cultural diversity and ways of facilitating and incorporating culturally inclusive practices in school and classroom programs. Participants are also encouraged to examine the issues underpinning racism and to develop strategies for combating it.

Training in Merit and Equity

The Merit Protection Boards, in their training programs for principal class officers, teachers, school services officers and public servants, emphasise the requirements of the Equal Opportunity Act (1995) and Teaching Service Order 154, part 10(c) not to discriminate against persons on the basis of personal attributes specified in the legislation. The video used as an adjunct to the programs refers to the need for people involved on selection panels to be aware of cultural diversity, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people from language backgrounds other than English. Workgroups in the programs provide the opportunity for discussion and problem solving on issues relating to diversity with an emphasis on selection.