MANDATE OF THE BISHOPS COMMISSION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION (the Commission)
26TH October 2006
Preamble
Jesus said: “Go, teach all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Matt 28:19
1. Membership and Meetings
1.1 The Commission shall comprise four bishops as determined by the Conference by laws.
1.2 The Commission shall meet at least twice each year at a time and place that the members determine. Use will be made of video or teleconference facilities when the agenda or circumstances warrants.
2. Areas of Responsibility
The Commission promotes the life and mission of the Catholic Church in Australia in the following areas:
2.1 Catholic school primary and secondary education
2.2 The religious education of the school aged people who are not attending Catholic schools
2.3 Catholic tertiary education.
3. Particular Functions
In particular, the Commission performs the following functions:
3.1 The Commission monitors the activity of the Church and its agencies through membership of the National Catholic Education Commission, the Executive of the NCEC and the NCEC Religious Education Committee.
3.2 The Commission, as approved or requested by the Conference, develops national policies in specific areas of its responsibility normally through the National Catholic Education Commission
3.3 The Commission, in accordance with Conference policy, undertakes public and private advocacy in support of:
3.3.1 Catholic schools
3.3.2 the Catholic school aged outside catholic schoo
3.3.3 the Catholic tertiary education sector
3.4 The Commission undertakes such specific projects as the Conference may from time to time approve or request.
4. Advisory Role
The Commission advises the Bishops and the Conference on issues that arise in the areas of its responsibility and, where appropriate, makes recommendations for action that might be undertaken at a national level.
5. Advisory Bodies
The Commission establishes, in accordance with the mandate(s) in Schedule 1, the following advisory body to assist it in its responsibilities:
5.1 The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC)
6. Relations
6.1 The Commission, through the National Catholic Education Commission, maintains a complex set of formal relations with:
6.1.1 The Australian Government Minister for Education
6.1.2 The Shadow Minister for Education and those responsible for the Education portfolio in other political parties
6.1.3 The Australian Government Department of Education, Science, Training and Youth Affairs, and relevant Committees
6.1.4 The Ministerial Council of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) and relevant Committees
6.1.5 The Curriculum Corporation
6.1.6 The Asia Education Foundation (AEF)
6.2 The Commission maintains informal relations with:
6.2.1 The Independent Schools Council of Austalia (ISCA)
6.2.2 The Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE)
6.2.3 The Australian Parents Council (APC)
6.2.4 Teaching Australia
6.2.5 The Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER)
6.2.6 The Learning Federation
7. Offices
The Commission supervises the work of the following offices in accordance with the mandates detailed in Schedule 2.
7.1 The National Catholic Education Commission
8. Secretariat
The Secretariat for Catholic Education assists the Commission in fulfilling its tasks.
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