The student is at the centre of all aspects of the educational experience in Tasmania. Education plays a vital role in helping young people reach their individual potential; achieve fulfilling career and life pathways; and develop an enthusiasm to continue learning throughout their lives. Knowledgeable, socially engaged young people are able to take their place as citizens and participate fully in Tasmanian society. They can then both contribute to, and secure benefits from, a culturally rich, socially just and economically productive Tasmanian community.

Essential to this focus is enabling all students to feel fully included in their classroom, school and community; to have their diverse sexual orientations and identities respected and valued, enabling them to be themselves, feel valued and participate fully in their education and their community. This emphasis enables rewarding partnerships to be built between schools and young people and the increasingly diverse families to which they belong.

The core values for education in Tasmania include connectedness, resilience, achievement, creativity, integrity, responsibility and equity. The purpose of education in Tasmanian is to ensure that all students are learning to learn; think, know and understand; live full, healthy lives; create purposeful futures; relate, participate and care; and act ethically.

These values and purposes establish a firm foundation for providing students with an inclusive, high quality education free from the effects of discrimination.

Teachers in Tasmanian schools are guided by principles of inclusive practice. These enable all students to feel valued, be part of their school community and participate fully in their education.