Regional Road Trip
The Parliament of South Australia (supported by the Department for Education) and the Electoral Commission of South Australia educators have visited students from Kimba, Lock, Cleve, Cowell, Cummins, Ungarra and Port Neill to facilitate our incursion programs in schools.
“It was very exciting to be able to collaborate with my parliamentary colleagues and provide authentic interactive and memorable learning experiences for these students and see the great work being done by their teachers” said ECSA’s Education Officer, Paula.
One of the most effective ways to secure the future of our democracy is to teach young people how to actively engage with it. Civics education lays the foundation for this lifelong democratic participation.
Through the HASS Australian Curriculum strand of Civics and Citizenship, students explore key concepts that shape their civic identity, roles in the community, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Civics education fosters an understanding of the values that underpin democratic communities, including freedom, equality, responsibility, accountability, respect, tolerance, and inclusion. It also equips students with essential skills to make informed judgments, form conclusions, and act within their communities.
As an independent agency, ECSA ensures that electoral services are delivered fairly, honestly, and in accordance with the law. In her role as ECSA’s educator, Paula is committed to delivering authentic electoral education, fostering student agency, and empowering young people to find and use their voice in civic life.
“We look forward to our ongoing connections with teachers and students in the classroom - to see how we can support the work of educators by providing in classroom support or tailored programs for individual classes or whole year levels as well as professional development sessions “, said Paula.
The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) is dedicated to upholding the values of democracy by ensuring that all South Australians have access to inclusive and accessible electoral information and voting services. As part of its legislative responsibility, ECSA plays a crucial role in educating the community about democratic participation across the state.
ECSA’s Education Officer, Paula, is a passionate Legal Studies and Civics educator with over two decades of experience. She is a strong advocate for civics education, firmly believing that a thriving democracy depends on an informed citizenry that understands and embraces their voting responsibilities. For more information on ECSA’s educational initiatives, visit www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/education
To learn more about the Parliamentary Community Education Office “Regional Program”, visit: education.parliament.sa.gov.au/book/schools/regional-programs
