After nearly a
decade in government the Liberal Party has done little to improve Tasmania’s
education system, with NAPLAN results showing Tasmania sits behind the national
average in every category.
This year, Year
3 students have shown a decline in results with every category going backwards
since 2021.
Across Years 3,
5, 7 and 9 where there are gains in some areas over the long term we see just
as many declines in others. With little improvement on NAPLAN results for
nearly a decade the State Government must do more to support Tasmanian students
so they can reach their potential.
The Liberal
Government has been big on rhetoric but very poor on delivery. They did not
meet their 2020 target that Tasmania will be at or above the national standard
in every single NAPLAN measurement, meeting the national benchmarks in reading,
writing, maths and science and on the current trajectory it is unlikely the
Year 7 reading target will be achieved by 2030. Year 7 NAPLAN reading results
currently show a long-term decline.
We absolutely
respect our school staff and the amazing work they are doing, but they can only
do so much within the government policy settings.
It is clear out
teachers need more support and evidence-based approaches, because it is clear
doing the same thing over and over is producing the same results.
Good education outcomes are always linked with a stronger economy, and this Liberal Government needs to get the basics right in education.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years
