Latest news with #VSV
ABC News
19-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
'Enrolment crisis' for performing arts students at Virtual School Victoria
Amid surging enrolments a state-run virtual school is tightening its entry criteria, making it effectively impossible for talented performers to be accepted into the school. Many singers, actors and dancers who are attending private performing arts colleges get their high-school education from Virtual School Victoria (VSV), formerly called Distance Education Centre Victoria. The industry peak body, Ausdance VIC, has told the ABC if change comes into effect at VSV next year, the academic future of over 100 high-school students could be in doubt. From 2026, performance students enrolling in VSV require support from specific creative organisations. The problem, according to Ausdance VIC, is the listed companies cannot provide references. "None of the organisations on that list knew they were going to be required to give these references," Ausdance VIC spokesperson Eilannin Harris-Black said. "Accordingly they've got no policies in place, and they are just generally unable to provide these [references] through lack of remit, lack of insurance, lack of procedures and no communication at all from the Department of Education. Since April, Ausdance VIC has been trying to negotiate with VSV and the Department of Education to find a way forward. It is calling on VSV to "urgently suspend" the new criteria until a workable solution has been found in consultation with the sector. Only students re-enrolling for years 11 and 12 can apply under the existing requirements. "The dance sector is happy to participate in proper checks and balances — but there needs to be consultation before action." The Department of Education said the enrolment criteria had been strengthened to ensure the category remained focused on elite students. A spokesperson said the changes were to "ensure alignment with the category's original intent — to support elite athletes and performers with extraordinary commitments, and to support students to engage meaningfully in their education and meet minimum instructional hours." "VSV is supporting students and their parents to explore alternative educational options if they are no longer eligible to attend VSV and can give special consideration on a case-by-case basis". Following questions from the ABC and stakeholders, the ABC understands the Department was reviewing VSV enrolment requirements for 2026 and will update the school community in term 3. VSV was contacted for comment. Transit Dance trains around 30 high school students annually. The school's artistic director and Ausdance board member, Jayden Hicks, said if the proposed criteria goes ahead in 2026, it would create an "enrolment crisis". "Anyone below year 10 couldn't continue and we couldn't accept new students, even if they were exceptional." He wants VSV and the Department of Education to see how performance arts high schools operate before making any changes. "We have classroom set-ups, we have high school teachers — we are a great alternative to mainstream school for creative students," he said. Mr Hicks said he was happy for independent oversight of incoming students, but the current list of "recognised organisations" was unworkable. "Our governance body is Ausdance, they should be able to assess if students are elite or advise on who would be an appropriate referee." Imogen Premraj knew she wanted a career in musical theatre from the moment she saw MAMMA MIA! on stage as a three-year-old. Now 14, Imogen has already performed professionally with the Melbourne Theatre Company, and at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. When she was accepted into the Ministry of Performing Arts College (MOPAC) for year 8, she was elated. "The community at MOPAC is amazing and my skills have definitely improved," she said. "I think my academic performance is going really well with VSV." Imogen's mother, Bridie Premraj, said the planned enrolment changes for 2026 "don't make sense". She hoped performance students, including her daughter, could continue with the virtual school. "Having access to VSV means communities like MOPAC can exist, accessing really high-quality [performance] training while also accessing high quality education," Ms Premraj said. "Since starting at MOPAC we have seen a huge growth in her confidence and skills, far beyond what we would have imagined. "It would be disappointing if Imogen couldn't continue with VSV." VSV describes itself as "the state's leading virtual school". In recent years enrolments at VSV have exploded — from 3,530 students in 2018 to 6,673 in 2025. Most pupils are school-based students completing VCE subjects not offered at their home school. Others attend VSV full time because they cannot attend a mainstream school due to elite sports or performing arts commitments, mental or physical health conditions, travel, or living remotely. Of the non-school based students, it appears most of the enrolments come from the medical "mental health" category, which was previously named "social emotional". VSV's 2022 annual report said there were "1,431 students enrolled in this category including 895 students referred to the school by medical practitioners due to school refusal". Some people questioned whether the change in criteria for the sports/performance category was an effort to reduce enrolments and push students back into mainstream schools. This was despite the sports/performance category accounting for just three per cent of VSV's total enrolments in 2025. VSV and the Department of Education didn't respond when the ABC asked if the new criteria are designed to reduce enrolments. In October 2024, VSV announced an update to the sports/performance enrolment category to "clarify and standardise the requirements for elite athletes and performers seeking enrolment at VSV". Previously students were required to get a letter from their current school stating the student had left for performing arts commitments and that "in their view, VSV is an appropriate alternative educational experience". The students sporting or performing arts organisation was then required to confirm: New criteria means that from 2026 only Victorian residents entering years 9-12 with exceptional abilities will be eligible. Applicants will also require support from a recognised sports or performing arts organisation. The problem for these performing arts schools is that even if students are "exceptional" the artistic companies listed are not in a position to provide references, according to Ausdance VIC. The ABC has contacted several of the listed organisations — those that responded said they were not notified of the change and could not provide the detailed endorsement asked for in the guidelines.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Need tax resolution scheme for corporates, industry: Sunil Bharti Mittal
Says government must launch Vivad se Vishwas scheme for corporates to release locked funds, backs a uniform 25% tax rate and 'one nation, one election' for economic efficiency Subhayan Chakraborty Delhi The government should introduce a Vivad se Vishwas-style tax scheme for India Inc. to free up the 'lakhs of crores of rupees' currently tied up in corporate litigation, Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said on Thursday. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit, Mittal also said it was surprising that many corporates had not shifted to the 25 per cent corporate tax rate. Introduced by the government in 2024 to resolve pending appeals in income tax disputes, the VSV scheme should be reimagined for corporate India so that the Centre can secure 'very large amounts of money that can be put to good use now', Mittal stressed. 'Maybe the government will win in 10 years' time and that money may become available to it then. Why not settle it now on the lines of the VSV?' he said, adding that such a step would release the industry from past litigations and allow it to focus on the future. Mittal's comments carry significance given that Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexacom continue efforts to reduce the ₹43,980 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues owed to the Centre. As part of a broader tax reform initiated in 2016–17, the Centre had, through the 2019–20 Budget, extended the simplified 25 per cent rate—provided exemptions were foregone—to all domestic companies with an annual turnover of up to ₹400 crore, up from ₹250 crore. The policy was aimed at benefiting approximately 99.3 per cent of Indian firms, but many have yet to transition to the new regime. 'Let's also get rid of the old fascination with those exemptions and move on to a simplified flat 25 per cent tax rate,' Mittal said. Mittal also argued that India loses valuable economic opportunities during election months each year and called on industry to support the idea of 'one nation, one election'. Need to be reasonable on FTAs On trade, Mittal pointed out that ongoing bilateral talks for free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States, European Union, and Saudi Arabia were in advanced stages. He urged industry associations not to demand provisions that could complicate the negotiations. 'We should have a reasonable outcome for those markets to open up for Indian companies, as we open our markets,' he said. At the same time, he strongly advocated for import substitution, arguing that every rupee of import saved by manufacturing domestically results in an equal amount of foreign exchange saved. Digital opportunity amid migration barriers Mittal also noted that global openness to immigration was shrinking, despite ageing populations worldwide. 'Our young people, our engineers, our trained professionals—nurses, doctors, teachers—are not going to get as easy access as they've had in the past. Thankfully, the world has moved to a digital medium. From the comfort of their homes in cities or villages, they can now serve the globe,' he said. Focus on job creation and regional potential Addressing a large audience of industry leaders, Mittal emphasised the need to prioritise job creation. 'One and a half million engineers are being produced in the country every year—more than the US and China put together. All of them need to be harnessed. This energy needs to be harnessed,' he said. He also urged industry to invest more in tapping the hydrocarbon potential of India's North-East.
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Final call! Clear your tax disputes under VSV 2.0: Here's how
April 30 is the deadline for taxpayers to resolve pending income-tax disputes under Vivad Se Vishwas (VSV) 2.0. The scheme, launched in October 2024, aims to reduce litigation and expedite revenue collection by offering a structured mechanism for resolving disputes. A Push Toward Efficient Dispute Resolution 'The VSV 2.0 scheme is part of the Indian government's broader push to reduce tax litigation and unlock tied-up revenue,' says Karishma Phatarphekar, partner at Deloitte India. 'It aims to minimise the backlog in courts and foster a more taxpayer-friendly environment.' According to Phatarphekar, the first version of the scheme (VSV 1.0) resolved more than 146,000 tax appeals and helped recover around Rs 1 lakh crore as revenue. The government hopes the second version will yield similar results. Who is eligible for VSV 2.0 According to Phatarphekar, taxpayers are eligible if they have pending disputes as of July 22, 2024, including: Appeals Writ petitions Cases before the Dispute Resolution Panel, provided no final assessment order has been passed Taxpayers have to fill up Form-1 on the Income-Tax Department's website to avail of the scheme. This includes the disputed tax amount and supporting documents such as assessment orders and relevant notices. Why opt in Phatarphekar explains key benefits include: Waiver of interest and penalties Immunity from future proceedings Swift resolution without prolonged litigation However, she warns of tradeoffs. 'Any payment made under VSV 2.0 is non-refundable and once settled, disputes cannot be reopened — a double-edged sword for some.' Avoid Common Pitfalls Phatarphekar explains common errors in applications for the scheme: Miscalculating disputed tax amount Submitting incomplete documentation Missing the scheme's deadline 'Review your case thoroughly,' says Phatarphekar. 'Consult a tax expert, file ahead of time, and ensure all documents are in order.'
CBC
08-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Victory Grounds Ventures had pitched multi-sport stadium to woo CPL team The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration." "This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said. The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18. In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible." When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues. Plan was divisive Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
CBC
08-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Group behind downtown Kingston stadium proposal drops plans
Social Sharing The group behind a plan to build a multi-sport stadium at the Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ont., has withdrawn its proposal, the city says. Victory Grounds Ventures (VGV) had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the downtown site, in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two semi-pro teams. But in a statement Friday evening, the City of Kingston said VSV had withdrawn the proposal "after careful thought and consideration." "This was one of the most robust engagements the City had ever been involved in, with hundreds of people taking time to come forward and share their comments about the proposal," the statement said. The city's statement did not go into details as to why VSV was pulling its proposal. It noted the decision came ahead of a report city staff were expecting to present at a council meeting on March 18. In an email to CBC, VGV managing partner Paul Barbeau said "potential legal issues" were identified during the due diligence process "which unfortunately made this project at the Memorial Centre not feasible." When asked, Barbeau said he could not share details about the issues. Plan was divisive Opinions on the stadium plan were divided, with a petition launched by Annette Burfoot, co-chair of the Williamsville Community Association gathering thousands of signatures. "It's a public space being taken over by private interests, and it's going to have a massive impact on surrounding residents, really disturbing their quality of life," Burfoot told CBC in January. A previous city staff report said the stadium plan would have several impacts on the Memorial Centre Grounds, including moving a popular dog park and losing some sports field uses. Barns used during the Kingston Fall Fair that house the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in the colder months would also have had to come down to make room for parking, that report said.
