Students who are pregnant and those students who are parents, both as mothers and fathers, are entitled to the same level of educational opportunity as other students.
Section 12 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 
outlines Education Queensland's obligation to provide an educational program for each student enrolled at a state educational institution.
Under the Act, each student's program must have regard to the age, ability, aptitude and development of the student concerned, be an integral element within the total range of educational services offered, take account of and promote continuity of the student's learning experiences and recognise and take account of the nature of knowledge.
The Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 is designed to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity, including education. The Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of a number of attributes, including pregnancy and parental status.
Principals and other managers need to be aware of the unlawful nature of discrimination against students who are pregnant and students who are parents, both mothers and fathers, and the implications for contravention of the Act.
Some examples of direct and indirect discrimination under the Anti-Discrimination Act are outlined within the department's Advice and strategies for the retention and support of pregnant and parenting people in education document.
The CRP-PR-009: Inclusive Education policy aims to ensure that all students feel welcome and valued by their school community and any obstacles to participation and achievement are identified and minimised.
Pregnant and parenting students are entitled to the same level of educational opportunity as other students. Schools provide appropriate arrangements to support them to complete their education through flexibility in:
All young people have benefited from the reforms of the Education and Training Reforms for the Future (ETRF). With the introduction of a Senior Phase of Learning and Senior Schooling Options, schools provide greater flexibility for students completing Years 11 and 12.
A 'compulsory participation' requirement means that all young people must participate full-time in 'learning or earning' options:
Parents are obliged to ensure their child participates as required. This obligation doesn't apply if the young person has a paid job for at least 25 hours per week or an approved exemption from compulsory participation.
The creation of flexible pathways and a range of opportunities for achievement have provided a level of support that enables all young people to complete their education and training. For pregnant and parenting young people, continuation of their learning may occur through:
. that offers education and training in a wide range of fields.A number of schools in Queensland have specific programs in place to support pregnant and/or parenting students. Students can contact their nearest District Office to see if there is a program in their local area.
SMS-PR-031: Flexible Arrangements for School Students
SMS-PR-021: Safe, Supportive and Disciplined School Environment
SMS-PR-012: Student Protection
HLS-PR-012: Managing Risks in School Curriculum Activities
SMS-PR-030: Exemptions from Compulsory Schooling and Compulsory Participation
This page was last reviewed on 20 Jan 2012
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2011.