Royal Commission releases Education issues paper

​​The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has released an issues paper on education and learning.

The Chair of the Royal Commission, the Hon Ronald Sackville AO QC, said education is a key area of inquiry for the Royal Commission.

'Education and learning is an important component of inclusive societies.

'The Royal Commission has identified that abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability in the education sector is an important topic to address.

'The Royal Commission's first public hearing, to be held in Townsville from 4 to 7 November 2019, will focus on education and include a preliminary examination of inclusive education policies and their impact on the experiences of students with disability'.

Research suggests that children with disability experience higher rates of suspension and expulsion from schools and that children with disability may be excluded from school activities, such as excursions, assemblies, sports carnivals etc.

Over the last decade, the segregation of children with disability into special education units/classes or 'special' schools has increased. Students with autism have been disproportionately affected by this increase. First Nations students with disability are also disproportionately over-represented in special schools.

The Royal Commission issues paper on education outlines the Commission's preliminary understanding of the key issues and barriers experienced by students with disability and asks 13 questions.

The Royal Commission hopes that the questions will assist people wishing to address issues related to education.

The Royal Commission is encouraging responses from individuals and organisations to the issues paper, if possible, by 20 December 2019 although submissions will be accepted after that date.