ACHPER Victoria apologises for inappropriate product

ACHPER Victoria produces a range of teacher’s aides such as samples of assessed coursework for secondary school teachers in Victoria.

These products are designed for teachers to use in educating students and preparing them for secondary school assessments.

In Victorian school assessments, students are encouraged to consider the social determinants of health – the social and economic situations that affect a person’s health and wellbeing. 

ACHPER Victoria’s sample assessed coursework presents hypothetical questions and scenarios from which students can build their critical thinking skills and address the social determinants of health.

Earlier this year, ACHPER Victoria produced a sample assessment that contained an inappropriate example response to a hypothetical question.

This example response presented an interpretation of a context in Israel that was divisive and hurtful to members of Australia’s Jewish community.

We understand and acknowledge that to present this interpretation as fact in learning material was wrong, and entirely inappropriate.

We acknowledge that our product included inappropriate content. As written, it contained information that is factually incorrect.

The example question provided was:
Using one example, discuss how the factor of discrimination, based on religion, can impact the mental and spiritual health and wellbeing of an individual.

The example response provided was:
An example of an individual being persecuted for their religion could be the Arab families living in Israel who practice the Islam religion rather than the Jewish religion. Including unlawful demolition of homes and forced displacement and detainment of these families.

It should not have happened, and we are taking action to prevent it occurring again.

ACHPER Victoria does not take a position on socio-political issues and we do not seek to influence the views of teachers, students or the general public.

In this case we did not meet the standards we set ourselves and we have caused deep offence to members of Australia’s Jewish community.

ACHPER Victoria sincerely regrets the offence and hurt that was caused and apologises unreservedly to the Australian Jewish community and others who may have been offended.

It was not our intention to cause offence and we regret that offence and hurt was caused.

This issue is complex. We are sensitive to this and have been working hard to avoid inadvertently causing any further offence.

If we have appeared not to have listened, we apologise.

We have listened.

We have spoken to a range of stakeholders, including those representing different Jewish community groups – a process that has required time and careful consideration.

The feedback we have received has cemented just how critically important it is for our organisation to get this right and share our learnings.

From the outset we have taken this issue very seriously.

The product was clearly not of the standard Victorian schools have come to expect from our organisation. Once concerns were raised with us, we immediately recalled and reissued the product.

Importantly, we have commissioned an independent review to understand why this incident occurred and recommend effective measures to avoid it occurring again.

The review will be chaired by Mr Peter Lewinsky.

The terms of reference for this review comprise: the intent and actions of our writers; the induction of employees and contractors; the editing, proofing and publication of education products; and, the broader set of policies and practices guiding our organisation.

The review is our utmost priority. It will be completed as quickly as possible without compromising its integrity.

We expect to communicate the actions we will take once the ACHPER Victoria board has received and assessed its findings.

This is the first incident of its kind that we have faced.

Since its early origins in the 1950s, ACHPER Victoria has been providing quality education products and services to teachers.

We are confident that the current issue is not reflective of any deeper systemic or cultural problem within our organisation.

However, should the review find any evidence to the contrary, we will move swiftly to address it.

About ACHPER

ACHPER Victoria is an inclusive, not-for-profit organisation working with government, academia and school teachers to achieve Victoria’s education goals.