Experts unite to improve education outcomes for teachers, students and families

A special panel led by a band of top principals, education chiefs and learning experts have given their time to Best in Class— all united by a desire to improve the outcomes of Australian children.

An Education Department chief- turned-university vice-chancellor, an internationally renowned learning expert, a veteran primary school principal and an acclaimed former independent school principal form the Best in Class advisory council.

Brought together by News Corp Australia, members of the panel have informed the editorial approach of the two-week campaign, all united by a desire to improve the outcomes of Australian children.

Sydney University vice-chancellor Mark Scott, pictured above right, said he was drawn to the campaign to help highlight the work of teachers.

“So many teachers are doing brilliant work in very complex settings,” said Professor Scott, a former ABC managing director, secretary of the NSW Education Department and newspaper editor. “We need to tell their stories and learn from their excellence.

“We need to make principals’ and teachers’ lives easier so they are spending their days doing what they got into the profession for – teaching children.”

Sydney Uni vice chancellor Mark Scott. Picture: Louise M Cooper

Finnish education expert Pasi Sahlberg said he was inspired to join the campaign because of the power of media to spread a message of change.

“Media has a critically important role to play in helping schools, parents and authorities to make education better for all Australians,” he said.

Pasi Sahlberg is a former education advisor in Finland

“The public, especially parents, needs to know more about the state of education in Australia and the challenges our students, teachers and schools are facing in their daily lives. ”

Professor Sahlberg is a teacher, teacher educator, academic and policymaker in Finland who has advised schools and education system leaders around the world.

Henryk Grossek, who has been a primary school principal for more than 30 years, said a lack of equity in school funding was the biggest challenge faced by children.

Victorian Principal Association boss Henryk Grossek

”The disparity in opportunity for students across our country at present is simply devastatingly huge,” he said.

Carolyn Grantskalns, interim chief executive officer of Independent Schools Australia, said she was drawn to the campaign’s focus on improving the conditions for teachers.

“Teaching matters and a campaign to raise the status of teachers and teaching as a profession seems very worthwhile,” said Ms Grantskalns who has been a teacher, principal and educational leader for more than 40 years.

Originally published as Experts unite to improve education outcomes for teachers, students and families