NSW Department of Education and Training

EAPS ACTIVITY AREA 1: PLANNING AND EVALUATION
OUTCOME
Ethnic affairs strategies are informed by data analysis, research and evaluation, and
integrated into the planning, evaluation and accountability cycles of the Department.
1.1 PLANNING, EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The NSW Department of Education and Training Corporate Plan 2008-2010 provides the
Department’s vision and guiding principles in establishing collaborative networks with
partners and stakeholders to reinforce excellence in teaching and learning and ensure that
students have equitable access to quality learning environments. The goals and strategies
outlined in the Corporate Plan are inclusive of the needs of all students and staff.
The Corporate Plan is underpinned by a number of strategic enabling plans, including the
annual EAPS Plan, that operate across the Department.
The Department’s Office of Schools Plan 2006 – 2008 provided directions for high standards
for teaching and learning for all students in all NSW public schools. It is inclusive of the
learning needs of students from all backgrounds, including students from culturally diverse
backgrounds, students who speak more than one language and students with different
religious beliefs and practices. The Stages of Learning strategy papers Our Young Learner
Strategy, Our Middle Years Learners Strategy and Our 15-19 Year Olds Strategy provide
additional guidance for regions and schools and also incorporate initiatives that are inclusive
of the learning needs of students from all backgrounds, including culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds.
For the TAFE NSW and Community Education portfolio, EAPS activities outlined in this
report reflect national and state strategic priorities for the vocational education and training
sector outlined in the NSW State Plan – A new direction for NSW, the NSW Vocational
Education and Training Strategic Plan 2008-2010, and in the Commonwealth-State
Agreement for Skilling Australia’s Workforce 2005-2008.
The Department of Education and Training has dedicated personnel in the Multicultural
Programs Unit whose role is to ensure the delivery of quality multicultural education and
training programs and services. The unit provides strategic direction and management in the
areas of policy development, operations, performance and organisational improvement for
multicultural education. It coordinates and implements a range of state-wide programs and
initiatives aimed at improving the outcomes for students from diverse cultural and linguistic
backgrounds.
The unit is also responsible for coordinating the Department’s EAPS Report and developing
the EAPS Plan. In undertaking this task, all education and training sectors and program
areas of the Department are consulted.
Achievements
Major achievements were:
All regions, TAFE Institutes and state office directorates developed an EAPS Plan 2009,
including specific strategies for multicultural education and ethnic affairs and reported on
planning and delivery of relevant programs and services during 2008.
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