Diverse and inclusive schools foster safe, effective, and enjoyable learning environments for students.

Young people in South Australia are calling on the South Australian Government to support all South Australian schools to regularly undertake an audit of their policies, curriculum, and co-curricular groups to ensure they embrace diversity and inclusiveness. The audit must be done via mechanisms that involve students as co-designers and contributors.

The South Australian community is comprised of people of many nationalities, disabilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions and backgrounds. This diversity strengthens our state and makes our schools better places to learn. All students deserve the right to learn in an inclusive environment that celebrates them for who they are.

Many young people, however, do not see themselves in the texts they study or the holidays their school celebrates. Neither do they have access to the facilities and social supports that they need. Consequently, they are not fully supported to be – or celebrated as – their authentic selves. Many schools are doing their best, but they just don’t have the tools they need to assess the scope of the situation, or know what steps to take to improve student inclusion.

Conducting regular diversity audits will allow students and staff to self-assess their school, thereby providing the guidance needed to take those next steps toward improving their school’s inclusivity, co-designed with student input. Inclusive school environments support not only better educational outcomes, but also support the social and emotional development of young people, as well as their mental health and wellbeing.

Show your support!
Sign the petition to call for the South Australian Government to support all South Australian schools to regularly undertake an audit of their policies, curriculum, co-curricular groups and staff to ensure they embrace diversity and inclusiveness.