Time for Education Minister to act on Brindabella Christian College

Most Canberrans are probably tired of the Brindabella Christian College (BCC) saga. As are the school community, the reform group that has been battling for years to restore good governance, and the Lyneham Community Association that has called out time and again the college’s illegal behaviour.

Not to mention journalists, who would, despite what the school board chair would have us believe, gladly move on to other issues.

BCC is a successful private school with growing enrolments and excellent outcomes. But this is in spite of a record of financial risk taking, governance breaches and contempt for the ACT planning rules that has seen it in and out of tribunals, the Fair Work Commission, and courts for years, draining the school finances.

In 2021, a delegate for the federal education minister found the Brindabella Christian College Education Limited Board was not “fit and proper” to run the school, imposing conditions to improve governance and financial management. The board appealed but the decision was upheld two years on in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

In November last year, Senate estimates was told that of the 64 conditions issued, only 20 had been met.

In September, ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry used a new law to issue an ultimatum to the board to get its house in order, demanding it provide in six weeks a plan for and evidence of it meeting a raft of conditions to comply with its regulatory obligations.

The regulator had advised her of breaches to compliance around governance and financial viability, including how the board had been reporting for the school.

The school responded and in December Ms Berry said she would make a decision on what action to take by Christmas. Now well into the new year and only weeks from the start of term, Ms Berry is still deciding what to do.

As is the Federal Education department, with which she has been working.

Nobody wants the school, which enrols about 1100 students to fail – and that is what the board is banking on. Where would they go?

In a statement this week, Ms Berry said she always preferred to keep schools open and operating.

“I value the educational services they provide to our community,” she said. “The best interests of students, families and staff are guiding my consideration of this matter.”

But this drama has gone on long enough, and the longer it continues the weaker Ms Berry looks.

The uncertainty is hurting the school, which has been losing staff and families who have to make decisions about their future.

BCC has become alienated from the Lyneham community and has hardly been the good neighbour it should be.

Most importantly, the school receives $10 million a year in Commonwealth funding, which demands that it be publicly accountable.

The federal department and the minister must act to ensure the board complies with all requirements and be willing take the firmest action, including deregistering the school.

But it should not come to that. They should be able to force the required changes and ensure the board acts in the best interest of the school and its community and continues to do so.

Ms Berry also said the ACT Government would work with the school community to minimise disruption to students, families and staff which may arise as a result of regulatory action.

That is all well and good but many in the community will be wondering what it will take for her to act. Either the school is compliant or it is not.

Ms Berry knows where the problem lies. The time for handwringing is over.