Education in Oceana Act (2012)

Oceana Bill

25
Education in Oceana Act (2012)
Introduced By: On: Bill Type: Sponsors: Prime Minister Jani Helle (DAO) 19/10/2012 Government Bill President Ciorstan Blake

Summary/Abstract
An Act to make provision for the redevelopment of the Oceana Education System, Education Sector and establish Public and Government Agencies to oversee and manage the educational sector within the Republic of Oceana.

Article I General Provisions

Section 1 Structure of the Education System The Education System of Oceana shall be split into five (5) sectors: Early Childhood Education; Primary Education; Secondary Education; Tertiary Education; Adult and Continuing Education.

Oceana Bill Number 25

Education in Oceana Act (2012)

TABLE 1: EDUCATION STRUCTURE IN OCEANA

Academic Education
Doctorate Masters Bachelors High School

Vocational Education

Military Education
Military Employmen t

Typical ages
+2-3 yrs +3-5 yrs 18-19 17-18 16-17 15-16 14-15 13-14 12-13 11-12 10-11 9-10 8-9 7-8 6-7

Adult and Continuing Education Employment Military Polytechnic Academy Polytechnic Vocational School Middle School (compulsory)

Military Youth Academy

Elementary School (compulsory) Pre-School

Section 2 Compulsory Education i. Education in the Republic of Oceana shall be compulsory for all children residing in the Republic of Oceana between the start of term after turning seven (7) years of age and the end of term after turning sixteen (16) years of age. ii. This article shall allow for certain exceptions on starting and leaving age, with each individual case decided by the Oceana Board of Education. Section 3 Tuition Fees i. There shall be no tuition fees for education at any level of schooling until tertiary level education in Universities and Polytechnic Universities. ii. Any possible tuition fees levied at higher levels shall be presented to the Board of Education and the Ministry of Education for verification. Section 4 - School Term i. The academic year (school term) shall begin in September each year and shall end in May/June the following year. ii. The length of the academic year shall be no less than 170 working days and no more than 180 working days. iii. The length of the academic year within the Tertiary Education sector shall be determined by the Board of Education for each level of Tertiary Education. iv. The appropriate start and end days of each academic term shall be determined by the Oceana Board of Education, with approval by the Minister for Education.

Article II Early Childhood Education

Section 1 General Provisions Oceana Bill Number 25 2

Education in Oceana Act (2012) i. ii. iii. This article makes provision for the establishment of organization and supply by all local councils to provide at least 15 hours per week of early childhood education to all children between the ages of 2 and 7. There will be no charge for participation in Early Childhood Education. Participation by parents of their children into early childhood education is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.

Section 2 Further Provisions Further details of the Early Childhood Education Sector shall be detailed in the Early Childhood Education Act.

Article III Primary Education

Section 1 Structure

Academic Education

Vocational Education
Elementary School (compulsory) Pre-School

Military Education

Typical ages
11-12 10-11 9-10 8-9 7-8 6-7

Section 2 Pre-School Children aged 6-7 may attend Pre-School. Pre-School is voluntary for all Oceanan children. Section 3 Elementary School Section 4 Further Provisions Further details of the Primary Education Sector shall be detailed in the Primary Education Act.

Article IV Secondary Education

Section 1 General Provisions Secondary Education in Oceana is attended by children between the ages of 12 and 19 (+/-1 year). The Secondary Education Sector of Oceana is comprised of Section 2 Structure

Academic Education
High School

Vocational Education
Vocational School Middle School (compulsory)

Military Education
Military Youth Academy

Typical ages
18-19 17-18 16-17 15-16 14-15

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Education in Oceana Act (2012) 13-14 12-13

Section 3 Middle School Middle School is compulsory to all children residing in the Republic of Oceana between the ages of 12 and 16 (+/-1 year). All students will be required to Section 4 High School Section 5 Vocation School Section 6 Military Youth Academies Section 7 Final Provisions Further details of the Secondary Education Sector shall be detailed in the Secondary Education Act (2012).

Article IV Tertiary Education

Section 1 General Provisions The Third Sector of Education shall consist of universities, polytechnic universities and military academies. Section 2 Structure

Academic Education
Doctorate Masters Bachelors

Vocational Education
Employment Polytechnic Polytechnic

Military Education
Military Academy Military Employmen t

Typical Duration
+2-3 yrs +3-5 yrs

Section 3 Final Provisions Further details of the Tertiary Education Sector shall be detailed in the Tertiary Education Act (2012).

Article IV Adult and Continuing Education

Section 1 General Provisions i. This Article makes provision for the implementation of the practice of teaching and educating adults. ii. Adult and Continuing Education will be accessible to all citizens of Oceana. iii. Adult and Continuing Education will be free of charge to all citizens of Oceana, with certain courses having the possibility to charge a nominal fee from students.

Article IV Ministry of Education

Section 1 General Provisions This article makes provisions for the structure and role of the Ministry and Minister of Education. In the event of a Government Cabinet not assigning a Minister of Education, the Oceana Bill Number 25 4

Education in Oceana Act (2012) role of managing and heading the Ministry of Education falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry and Minister of Domestic Affairs.

Article IV Board of Education

Section 1 General Provisions and Establishment i. There shall be a Board of Education in Oceana. The Board shall be appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Who proposes candidates? ii. The Board shall be tasked with the creation of the national curriculum for Oceanas schools, and the development of the education sector in Oceana. Section 2 Composition of Board Membership of the Board of Education shall at all times consist of 18 members, comprised of the following: Five (5) current teachers of good standing from Primary Schools; Five (5) current teachers of good standing from Secondary Schools; Two (2) current administrators of good standing from Primary Schools; Two (2) current administrators of good standing from Secondary Schools; Four (4) education and child development experts of good standing; Meetings of the Board shall be chaired by the Minister of Education / Minister of Domestic Affairs, who shall only hold a casting vote in the event of a tie. The duration of membership for each of the above is two (2) years. Specialization, time frame? Section 3 Remit of Board The Board of Education shall have the power to: Create a curriculum for Primary and Secondary Schools; Develop and implement learning and development practices for early childhood education; Compose academic materials and textbooks for Oceanas schools; Develop and implement strategies to improve educational and teaching standards. Section 4 Accountability of Board of Education i. A member of the Board of Education is expected to be dutiful and dedicated to the education of all Oceanans. ii. Each member of the Board of Education shall be accountable for their actions and decisions, and shall answer to the Minister of Justice. iii. A member of the Board of Education may be removed from the Board by a vote in the Board in favour of dismissal, or with the decision of at least half of the members of the Board, the Minister of Education and the Prime Minister.

Article IV - Final Provisions

Section 1 Further Legislation on Education This Article makes provision for future legislation on many other aspects in the Education Sector, notably those relating to discipline, the workforce, workers rights, job protection, teacher pay and Oceana Bill Number 25 5

Education in Oceana Act (2012) backpay, qualifications, curriculum, teacher training, provision for the creation of new schools, regular inspections, student finance, homeschooling, schoolmeals, assessment, and language education.

Section 2 - Amendments and Exemptions i. Any amendments to education law and policy in the Republic of Oceana may only be made by an Act of Parliament. ii. The Ministry of Education and the Board of Education together have the right to grant certain temporary exemptions and alterations to education law and policy, for a maximum period of twelve (12) months or to the end of the following academic year, whichever comes last. Section 3 Private Schools This Act allows and calls for a future provisions on the issue of privately-run schools in Oceana, to be determined at a later date in this Parliamentary session, involving a proper debate. Section 3 Effective Date The Effective Date of this Bill coming in to effect shall be the beginning of the next academic year as it currently stands under Oceana Law and Policy.

Signed:

Jani Helle

Oceana Bill Number 25