Canberra Liberals MLA Chiaka Barry brought forward a motion calling on the ACT Government to develop a long-term language learning strategy and to ensure that all year 11 and 12 students who wish to study languages in 2026 are able to.
The motion responded to the recently-announced closure of CIT Solutions, which offers after-school language classes in a central, accessible location for students whose schools don’t offer language classes of their choice.
Thomas spoke in strong support of the motion, and called for the ACT Government’s Education Directorate to take over delivery of the program, as is the practice in most other Australian jurisdictions. He also referred to the ACT Government’s 2024 Language Education Plan, which includes a commitment to explore options for flexible and innovative delivery models for public school language education programs by the end of 2025. Thomas highlighted that despite this commitment, the ACT now has fewer delivery models for public school language education programs than when the Language Education Plan was published.
The motion passed with the unanimous support of the Assembly.