Young Tasmanians are being failed by an education system that’s lagging behind the nation, according to data released today by the Productivity Commission.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said Tasmanian school students have the worst post-school outcomes and the lowest literacy in the country.
“Tasmania also has the second lowest attendance and retention rates in the country, and a year 12 attainment rate well below the national average.
“Disturbingly, Tasmanian students have the lowest sense of belonging at school, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are twice as likely to feel they don’t belong at school.
“That’s an important indicator of how well students will do and how long they will stay at school.
“That in turn plays a role in what happens to a student after formal education, and the data shows less than half of students are fully engaged in further education, training and/or employment.
“It’s a signal that more needs to be done to support government schools, particularly those in disadvantaged areas of the state.”
Mr Willie said Jeremy Rockliff should take note of the Productivity Commission’s findings, particularly with regard to the funding model.
“Apart from the Northern Territory, Tasmanian non-government school students receive more funding per capita than in any other jurisdiction.
“Real state government spending per student in public schools has increased by just 1.5% since 2013-14.
“At the same time, real state government spending per student in non-government schools has increased 17.9%.
“Jeremy Rockliff and Peter Gutwein need to address the inequities in the education system. Failing to do so will continue to deliver the same poor results.”
Josh Willie
Shadow Minister for Education
