Equity
/ˈɛkwɪti/
Noun: equity; singular proper noun: equity; noun: equity
- The quality of being fair and impartial.
“Equity of treatment”
The term ‘equity’, particularly ‘social equity’, is frequently used in the public sphere. From policing to welfare to housing and transportation, social equity is about fairness and justice, as opposed to social equality, which is defined as the equal distribution of resources regardless of the tools people have access to.
Equity in education, in particular, is a major topic in Australia right now. An equitable education system is one where every student, regardless of their ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or abilities, can succeed. While Australia’s education system performs well overall in a global context, significant gaps in equity remain for Aboriginal children. These gaps stem from wider social inequalities, making equity within our education sector imperative for the success of all our children.
What Does Equity in Education Mean?
In a broader societal context, equity involves providing people with resources that fit their circumstances. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines social equity as “the absence of avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people.”
For example, when schools prioritise equity over equality, they are more in tune with their students’ needs and can provide resources to overcome challenges specific to those children. Instead of distributing all resources evenly, acting equitably in schools allows children who may have faced challenging situations in their lives to learn, grow, and thrive at the same level as those who haven’t.
Implementing Equity in Australian Schools
To support our children within our education sector, we need to ensure that our schools adopt an equitable approach. This means acknowledging the unequal starting points between children and making efforts to meet individual needs. Instead of expecting all students to reach the same point in their learning at the same time, we should promote excellent progress in their learning—regardless of their starting point.
Addressing the Needs of Aboriginal Children
In particular, attention must be given to Aboriginal children, who often face greater disparities in educational outcomes. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges these students face, we can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
The Path Forward
Creating an equitable education system requires commitment from educators, policymakers, and the community. It involves understanding the diverse backgrounds and needs of students and providing the necessary support to ensure that all children have the opportunity to succeed.
By fostering an environment where equity is prioritised, we can help all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve their full potential. This approach not only benefits individual students but also strengthens our society as a whole, ensuring a brighter future for all Australians.