The Nationals have successfully gained a full inquiry into Victoria’s education system after a motion was moved in Parliament.
The inquiry will examine learning outcomes in state school Prep to Year 12 students, impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic on student learning and wellbeing, school funding outcomes, and the state of the teaching profession.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland hoped the inquiry would address some of the major education issues plaguing regional Victoria.
“This inquiry will shine a light on the challenges that we are experiencing in our regional schools,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Labor recently used Parliament as a platform to boast about the state’s education, however this is a far cry from the challenges that I have heard.
“All across my electorate we have schools requiring essential infrastructure upgrades – towns like Kilmore without public schools, and serious staffing issues.
“I will continue to campaign for these issues to be resolved and this inquiry is a great first step to make our schools a better place for everyone.”
The motion was put forward in the upper house by Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath, supported by Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad, and will have the Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues Committee look at a range of key issues relating to education.
“This issue is of great importance to me and to the thousands of people living in northern Victoria, whether they personally have children of school age or not,” Ms Broad said.
“The state of the Victorian education system affects everyone. Sadly, I have to report that – according to many of the constituents I speak to – our education system is struggling badly.
“I look forward to this inquiry into the state of Education in Victoria, in the hope that we can move forward and make our schools a better place for everyone.”
