01 - Department of Education and Communities - NSW Government

OUR MISSION…to educate the public school students ofNew South Wales for the benefit of eachindividual, the community and the nationWho we areThe Department of SchoolEducation operates under a numberof Acts of Parliament and isresponsible to the Minister forEducation and Training for theprovision of public education.In 1997 the Department consistedof 2221 schools serving 764,173students. There were over 50,000teachers and 9700 administrativeand support staff employed inschools as well as 2400administrative support staffemployed in state office and across40 district offices. Well over halfof these offices serve rural areas ofthe state.As well as regular primary and highschools, the Department of SchoolEducation provides schools andservices for students with particularneeds. For students remotefrom centres of population andfor those with physical, emotionalor intellectual disabilities, orbehavioural disturbance, theDSE provides alternative accessto schooling. This includes distanceeducation centres, the School of theAir, hospital schools, communitycare schools, schools for blind anddeaf children and other schools forspecific purposes.In addition to its comprehensivehigh schools, the DSE alsoprovides a range of specialist highschools for students with specialinterests or talents and field studiescentres which provide locations inNSW for a variety ofenvironmental studies.What we doThe principal concern of the DSEis to offer the children of NSW highquality education which is:• relevant to their needs andaspirations• responsive to communityexpectations• effective in its implementation• efficient in the use of availableresources• based on good discipline andeffective learning.We are also conscious of the needto provide equal opportunitieswithin public schooling. We dothis by having regard for sex,race, creed, socio-economiccircumstances, geographic locationand physical and intellectualability.The Department delivers acurriculum which serves students’personal needs and the needs ofsociety and which is adaptable andresponsive to the wide range ofstudent abilities and to changes inthe community.We recognise the importance ofeach student being able tocommunicate effectively throughspeaking, listening, reading andwriting; being competent in the useof mathematical processes; beingable to analyse situations criticallyand solve problems; havingopportunities to develop theknowledge and skills necessary toparticipate in and contribute tosociety; and having opportunitiesto undertake studies in preparationfor employment or as prerequisitesfor tertiary education.Our schools are concerned for thephysical and personal welfare ofeach student. Acceptable behaviourfor students and staff is clearlydefined and there are appropriatecounselling procedures to ensurethe welfare of individual students.We have established close linkswith parents, school communities,business and industry. These arepowerful partnerships in theeducation of our students and themanagement of our schools.2 DSE Annual Report 1997