The Education Commission of New South Wales was established in October, 1980, as a response to efforts made by teachers, parents and others to achieve effective community participation in the decisions which affect public education in this State.

Membership of the Commission provides for the representation of teachers, parents, Government administration and other community interests. The Commission is a representative body which acts as the prime adviser to the Minister for Education and, through the Minister, to the Government.

The Commission has statutory responsibilities in terms of its role as the employing authority for teachers in public schools and colleges of technical and further education, and as the Minister’s major advisory body on broad policy and planning matters.

The Commission’s charter in respect of policy, planning and resource issues for public education includes primary and secondary education, technical and further education and higher education. The Commission consults with Departments and other statutory bodies and operates by furnishing reports and making recommendations to the Minister for Education. These may be on the initiative of the Commission or at the request of the Minister.

During its first two years the Education Commission identified nine major issues arising from pressures for change. The Commission has sought to identify viewpoints about the most important aspects of these issues with the intention of preparing proposals for Government consideration.

Viewpoints have been identified through consultation with interested groups as members of working parties, through preparation and distribution of discussion papers, through visiting schools and colleges in urban and rural areas, by holding public seminars, by calling for submissions, and by meeting with individuals and groups in a variety of other situations.