Commitment to Education Act compliance protects students

The Australian Government today reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all schools that receive Commonwealth funding operate in the best interests of their students.

Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said his department has been monitoring for some time the activities of the six non-government schools affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC).

“We have been liaising with state education authorities since a number of concerns were identified relating to financial management and governance at the schools, as well as the role of AFIC in administration of the schools,” Mr Pyne said.

“In response to these concerns, my department has commissioned an audit of all six schools to examine their compliance with the Australian Education Act 2013, which authorises funding for schools.

The six schools include the Islamic College of Brisbane, the Islamic College of Melbourne, the Islamic College of South Australia, the Islamic School of Canberra, Langford Islamic College (WA) and Malek Fahd Islamic School (NSW).

“These schools have been advised of the audit and my department is working with state and territory authorities that have been carrying out their own investigations, including in relation to the Islamic College of South Australia.

“I’m concerned with allegations reported in the media in relation to curriculum, gender segregation, senior staff movements and financial transactions.

“These audits will help get to the bottom of these matters and provide resolution for all concerned. We want to be confident that schools operate in the best interests of their students.”