Further Widening of the Education Equity Gap: A report just published by the Grattan Institute authored by Julie Sonneman and Peter Goss suggests the equity gap in education has widened as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The challenges faced by schools and students who suffer disadvantage is compounded by situations such as the pandemic. Sonneman and Goss have suggested the Australian Government should launch an intensive individualised tutoring program but that has been dismissed. Reflection on this report yet again reinforces the importance of projects such as ours. The full report is available https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-Catch-up-Grattan-School-Education-Report.pdf (Sharyn 15.6.20)
Project History: Annelies and I have been working with a group of schools in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria since 2016. The relationships we have developed with the teachers and students at these schools has further fueled our passion for offering alternative learning and teaching opportunities to those who are denied access to what many take for granted. If you would like to read more about our work to date check out our most recent article which was published in The Museum Review http://articles.themuseumreview.org/tmr_vol5no1_vandevenvolk (Sharyn 12.6.20)