NSW Education Standards Authority staff ‘realignment’ to oversee private school funding

NESA, the authority for curriculum and assessment in all NSW schools, is undergoing a staff “realignment” with employees to learn their futures on Wednesday.

The authority that sets the curriculum and assessment in NSW schools, NESA, is undergoing a staff “realignment”.

The governing body for curriculum and assessment in all NSW schools is undergoing a staff “realignment” giving more power to the CEO and a hand-picked inner circle, with employees to learn their futures on Wednesday.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and its 700-odd staff are responsible for designing and implementing the state’s school curriculum, monitoring teacher quality and accreditation, and carrying out major assessments like the Higher School Certificate.

In one of the key changes, NESA CEO Paul Martin will carve out an inner circle with a new Office of the CEO established, including a policy adviser, media, and ministerial services roles.

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) CEO Paul Martin. Picture: Richard Dobson

The overarching policy role is likely to be filled by moving an existing staffer at the director level from one of the body’s four subdivisions – Strategy and Capability, School and Teaching Standards, Assessment and Curriculum.

The restructure is the fallout from the NSW government offloading NESA’s responsibility for monitoring homeschooling to the Department of Education, trading it for new responsibilities overseeing private schools’ usage of taxpayer funding under not-for-profit legislation.

The Daily Telegraph understands 12 roles have been affected by the reshuffle.

The Non-Government Schools Unit moved under NESA’s banner in April, following the recommendations of a review into Section 83C of the Education Act.

Section 83C states “the Minister must not provide financial assistance … (to) a school that operates for profit,” and that a school operates for profit if its income or assets are used for any purpose other than for the operation of the school.

NESA's hierarchy as of July 2024, prior to upcoming restructure.

An independent review of Section 83C conducted by former NESA chairman Tom Alegounarias last year recommended “regulatory and advisory functions should be relocated” to NESA.

Meanwhile the authority is around halfway through its massive curriculum reform program – including the development and implementation of more than 100 new syllabuses.

“As is the case with all government agencies, NESA realigns its staff on occasion to ensure the delivery of government priorities,” CEO Paul Martin said.

“There are no plans for a wholesale restructure of NESA.”

Staff consultation will begin on Wednesday, and feedback taken into account before the changes are finalised.

A spokesman for Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos said curriculum rollout “remains a key priority for NESA”.

“This minor reshuffle will help coordinate and deliver on that,” he said.

“NESA’s focus remains on having teachers that are supported, valued, and enabled to focus on their core work - teaching. The role of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is critical in achieving this.”

Originally published as NSW Education Standards Authority staff ‘realignment’ to oversee private school funding