NSW students succeed in bid for a national voice
Young people will be placed at the centre of discussions about their education, thanks to the imminent creation of a national student council.
The initiative, which was proposed by the NSW Minister’s Student Council, known as the DOVES, was accepted yesterday at the Education Ministers Meeting.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said she was proud to see a NSW-led student proposal shine on the national stage.
“The DOVES have helped shape some of our key education policies in NSW, including reviews into consent education and the curriculum,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Now thanks to their advocacy, school students across Australia will have the opportunity to have their say on what matters to them.”
Ms Mitchell said a national student council will fill a similar gap she identified in NSW, which led to the creation of the DOVES.
“While there are existing national forums that convey the views of teachers, principals, parents and unions, there is currently no forum for students to directly engage with the nation’s education ministers,” she said.
“For the first time, the student voice will be heard loud and clear on the national stage.”
DOVES council member Yousef Nabizadeh, who is in Year 11 at Arthur Phillip High School, said he was looking forward to students having a national voice.
“With a national DOVES council in place student voices will finally be heard and positive changes will be made to help young people today,” he said.
The final plans for a national student council will be presented at the national Education Ministers Meeting in December.
The NSW DOVES student council was established in 2019. It includes 27 student representatives from nine educational directorates across the state. The group meets with the NSW Education Minister twice a term, as well as at her request on specific matters.
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