Part 2Objects and principles

Part 2—Objects and principles 7—Objects and principles (1) The objects of this Act include— (a) ensuring that education provided to children and students in this State is of a high quality; and (b) ensuring that children's services provided at children's services centres in this State are of a high quality; and (c) ensuring the development of an accessible range of education and children's services that meet the needs of all groups in the community; and (ca) ensuring that the provision of education and children's services in this State is inclusive by enabling the participation of children and students with a disability and supporting the development of their personalities, talents, creativity and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential; and (d) promoting the involvement of parents, persons other than parents who are responsible for children and other members of the community in the provision of education and children's services to children and students in this State, and, in the course of achieving those objects, it is an object of this Act to continuously improve the wellbeing and safety of children in this State. (2) It is a further object of this Act to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of all teachers and educators (including school services officers, early childhood workers and Aboriginal education workers) in respect of the education of the children and students of this State, as well as their importance to the successful development of children and the success of the education and children's services sectors generally. (3) It is a further object of this Act to recognise the diversity of the student body in this State. (4) The following principles must be taken into account in relation to the operation, administration and enforcement of this Act: (a) the best interests of children and students is the paramount consideration; (b) every child has a right to education; (c) the cultural and religious diversity of the student population must be recognised; (d) children and students should not be unlawfully discriminated against on the ground of their gender, disability, religion or race, nor that of their parents; (e) the involvement of children, students, parents, persons other than parents who are responsible for children and other members of the community in relation to the education and development of children and students should be promoted; (f) children, students, stakeholders and communities should be consulted in respect of decisions under this Act that may affect them; (g) education and children's services provided by Government schools, Government preschools and children's services centres are to be secular in nature; (h) subject to this and any other Act or law, schools, preschools and children's services centres are free to celebrate events that are of significance to their communities (including, for example, by singing Christmas carols).