Melissa Gallo EDFD221 Geraldine Larkins

S00122173
Assessment Task 1 - Letter

To whom this may concern,

My name is Mrs Roshni Raj I am writing on behalf of myself and my
husband Niroj Raj with regards to our daughter Cicis enrolment status. I would
like to express my concern with her recent rejected entry into your school. We
were extremely disappointed when we received the letter of rejection as we did
a lot of researching into primary schools in the area and established that this
school in particular would be best suited for our daughters education and
development. Our family is of good health with a middle level socio-economic
status and we come from a positive neighbourhood in close proximity to your
school. I was impressed when we visited your school on open day and it remains
the school we would like our daughter to attend. Cici was also looking forward to
starting school here and making new friends. Our cultural background is from
India and we have been living in Australia for one year. Our daughter fluently
speaks Hindi and English as a second language. We would like Cici to improve
her English and although it is not great we believe she will still be able to
integrate and make friends and learn the English language, as she is a very bright
girl. We support and encourage her to practice English. She has good attention
and memory, which can support her throughout her learning.

We researched into UNICEF, which ensures children are protected with their
rights. As Cici is a child under the age of 18 years old she is entitled to all of
these rights. Article 30 states, You have the right to practice your own culture,
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language and religion or any you choose. As we live in a multi-cultural country
it is common for foreign students like my daughter to have knowledge of two
different languages and although her English is quite poor, it is the schools
obligation to provide assistance to help improve her ESL level to the best of her
ability. Furthermore, as per article 2 All children have these rights no matter
who they are, where they live, what their parents do, what language they speak,
what their religion is, what their culture is No child should be treated unfairly
on any basis. (Department for Community Development Office for Children and
Youth, et al. 2008). These articles are just a few I picked that support my childs
rights to be educated at your school thus prove why it is against the UN
Convention to refuse enrolment to my daughter.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out childrens rights. As Australia
is apart of this human rights treaty, schools nation wide have a duty to ensure
that all children enjoy the rights set out in the treaty. Some of the principles of
the CRC that relate to my daughters situation are respect for the best interests
of the child as a primary consideration in all decisions relating to children, and
the right of all children to enjoy all the rights of the CRC without discrimination
of any kind. (HREOC Human Rights, 2007).

The National Safe Schools Framework is implemented throughout Australia to
create safe, supportive and respectful learning and teaching communities. The
Framework provides a set of guiding principles to ensure that these values are
instilled furthermore, to promote student wellbeing by making sure they feel
safe in the school environment. By your school not accepting my daughters
Melissa Gallo EDFD221 Geraldine Larkins
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enrollment, they are not following the correct guidelines as outlined in the
Framework.

The Framework for Values lists nine values for Australian schooling, they reflect
the commitment to a multicultural society where all students are entitled to
justice. I believe your school is not adhering to certain values in particular value
3, 4 and 9, in relation to my daughters case. The third value is Fair Go which
means to Pursue and protect the common good where all people are treated
fairly for a just society. (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace
Relations, 2011). Cici is not being treated fairly by not accepting her into your
school, which is considered ethically wrong. She is not being given a chance to
improve her language barrier not allowing her the same education opportunities
as other young Australians. The fourth value is Freedom which allows you to
Enjoy all the rights and privileges of Australian citizenship free from
unnecessary interference or control, and stand up for the rights of others.
(DEEWR, 2011). Your school is not allowing Cici the freedom of her rights. Lastly,
value nine Understanding, Tolerance and Inclusion means to Be aware of
others and their cultures, accept diversity within a democratic society, being
included and including others. (DEEWR, 2011). By your schools action you are
clearly excluding my daughter by not accepting her for who she is and the rich
culture and diversity our family has to offer. I recommend your school revise
their audit tool as improvement needs to be made in these areas in order to
produce an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Melissa Gallo EDFD221 Geraldine Larkins
S00122173
The national goals for schooling recognize that, Australias future depends upon
each citizen having the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and values
for a productive and rewarding life in an educated, just and open society. High
quality schooling is central to achieving this vision. ... Schooling provides a
foundation for young Australians intellectual, physical, social, moral, spiritual
and aesthetic development. (DEEWR, 2011). By refusing my daughters entry
you are not meeting these expectations and allowing her the wonderful
opportunity of offering her education, which is simply unacceptable.

The Disability Discrimination Act and The Salamanca Statement are legislative
documents that ensure a standard of equality in special needs education is
sustained between all children. Under The Disability Discrimination Act:
Inclusive Education section, Cici has the right to the same educational
opportunities as other children. She is entitled to receive extra support by a
teacher aide where needed and have access to programs that will aid her
learning of English to reach her full potential. The Salamanca Statement believes
that Education systems should be designed and educational programs
implemented to take into account the wide diversity of childrens characteristics
and learning needs. (UNESCO, 1994).

Our family have a lot to offer the school, we would like to be involved in our
childs education by participating and helping out in the school community. In
our daughters previous school in India we made papa dams to sell to the
students in the canteen, we would love to introduce our culture into your school
too. We are willing to contribute to school events and programs. The importance
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of inclusion of all students based on principles, policies, legislation and social
justice I have discussed all support my argument on why it is unjust to refuse my
daughters enrolment and I hope it makes you reconsider our situation. The
bottom line is our daughter should have just as much opportunity as any other
child being accepted. We would appreciate your consideration and look forward
to hearing from you.


Regards,

Roshni and Niroj Raj














Melissa Gallo EDFD221 Geraldine Larkins
S00122173
References:

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2011).
National Framework For Values Education In Australian Schools. Retrieved from:
http://www.valueseducation.edu.au/values/val_national_framework_for_values
_education,8757.html

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2012).
The National Safe Schools Framework. Retrieved from:
http://deewr.gov.au/national-safe-schools-framework-0

Department for Community Development Office for Children and Youth,
Meerilinga Young Childrens Foundation Inc. and the United Nations Association.
(2008). UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved from:
http://www.childrensweek.org.au/UN%20poster%20Jan%202008.pdf

HREOC Human Rights. (2007). Australias Commitment to Childrens Rights
and Reporting to the UN. Retrieved from:
https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/17ca8785-80c7-c04c-5d0f-
64f71cd102b2/1/HREOC%20Human%20Rights.pdf

UNESCO. (1994). The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on
Special Needs Education. Retrieved from:
http://www.unesco.org/education/pdf/SALAMA_E.PDF