Big fresh ideas for sustainable Jewish Education – Report Released
Following the findings of the NOUS Report, which surveyed parents across independent and government schools to understand current attitudes towards academic excellence and religious education, the NSW Education Review Committee has been deliberating effective solutions for the complexity of education provisions and funding.
Chairing the committee, David Gonski was supported by communal leaders Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Stephen Chipkin, Jonathan Gavshon, Anna Green, Anne Hastings, Gary Pinshaw, Caryn Sandler, Jacquie Seemann and Allan Vidor.
The intention overall was to ensure sustainability and innovation in the education space in the future.
David Gonski said: “We resolved not to dictate to the schools what should be done, nor to give overarching opinions on all aspects of the situation. Instead we determined to make a contribution by arming our Jewish education providers with the kinds of big picture strategies they need to survive the challenges ahead and continue thriving.”
Addressing the key focus areas, these measures take the form of six ‘Big Ideas’ extensively considered and analysed by the ERC, comprising:
- Centralising Fee Assistance which will ensure consistency and equity for all parents – the process will be more efficient and will enable a greater number of families to be assisted.
- Centre for Education Excellence (Secular and Jewish) – this will offer world-class programs for teacher development thereby attracting and retaining teachers who are engaging and innovative.
- Resource Collaboration Working Group – this group will look for opportunities for shared resourcing, delivering better financial outcomes for schools which are then passed on to the community
- School Grants – a capped voucher will assist families into primary schools at Jewish Day Schools thereby building and improving affordability
- A scorecard for Jewish Day Schools – an internal scorecard will allow schools to review their performance and continually improve while an external scorecard will allow the schools to fully communicate their excellence and promote themselves to community (not based solely on HSC results)
- A Jewish Education Alliance – this will deliver greater coordination and efficiency between schools and all Jewish Education providers ensuring Jewish education remains a top priority at all times. An Alliance would also be able to analyse and drive any of the additional ideas both from a schools, other education provider, community, and donor point of view.
“Following the publication of the report, a series of discussions will be held to determine the pathways the schools wish to take. The initiatives communicated throughout this report remain flexible, and it is vital that any actions are undertaken in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders. Discussions will also ensue with donors to better curate the holistic solutions to the needs of community and the schools”, concluded David Gonski.
The Committee will hold a question and answer session on the 5th April online. More details will be forthcoming via social media and the schools, as well as an email to book in. The Report is available by downloading from the website: www.JDSreportNSW.com.au . The Education Review Committee now invite your questions on the Jewish education sector via email for discussion on the 5th April. Please email [email protected]
