Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has reiterated the Greens’ call for an independent Education Commission to be established, as the Federal Government is forced to face up to the realities of the international education sector this week.

A roundtable of 31 international students, handpicked from 1300 applicants, is being convened by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Canberra today and tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Greens-established Senate Inquiry into the welfare of international students continues.

“An independent Education Commission is needed to safeguard the quality and integrity of Australia’s education sector, for both domestic students and those from overseas,” said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education.

“The evidence raised in the Senate Inquiry I established into the welfare of international students has pointed to the need for a national authority, with monitoring and compliance powers, to make sure the Education Services for Overseas Students Act and its benchmarks are more than just aspirational.

“For international students, an Education Commission would boost confidence and security, by providing one point of contact to which any queries or grievances can be directed.”

Senator Hanson-Young said an Education Commission should oversee the improvement of three key areas in the international education sector across all states and territories: immigration requirements, quality benchmarks, and monitoring and compliance.

“The fact that hundreds of Sterling College students are still yet to be found new study places, following the sudden closure of the college in Sydney on July 28, exemplifies the need for an Education Commission,” she said.

“Sterling students told the Senate Inquiry’s Sydney hearing that negotiations with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Australian Council for Private Education and Training are frustratingly yet to come to fruition, and that a single point of contact for advice or direction is sorely needed.”

Senator Hanson-Young also pointed to the experience of a pregnant international student suffering from malaria, as reported in The Australian today, as another case study.

“The shunting around of Ms Jaspreet Kaur between her college and the immigration department, without a satisfactory resolution, points to the need for a one-stop shop that students can approach for assistance,” she said.

“The Greens will push for an Education Commission to benefit all students, domestic and those from overseas, with an understanding that international students are particularly vulnerable without the support networks here they would have at home.”

The Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee’s Inquiry into the welfare of international students will hold a final hearing in Canberra on Friday 18 September, and is due to report by Monday 16 November. More info:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eet_ctte/international_students/index.htm