Victoria’s state education system is failing students and teachers due to an overcrowded curriculum, inconsistent learning practices and ongoing staffing shortages, a Parliamentary report has found.
With almost 30 per cent of Victorian students failing to meet basic standards in literacy and numeracy, the Legislative Council’s Legal and Social Issues Committee Inquiry into the state education system in Victoria has recommended the government introduce short and long-term targets to lift student learning outcomes.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said the report made it clear how urgently the issues within the education sector must be addressed.
“With too many children struggling to meet basic standards, this government must act now to ensure our students are not being put at a significant disadvantage going forward in their lives,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This means our education department and state government taking responsibility and ensuring they are actively helping our teachers and schools achieve these improvements.
“Our hardworking educators are already over worked, and suffering burn out – it’s clear there has been a clear lack of direction from government so far.
“Despite being aware of a projected 5000 teacher shortage, Labor’s targeted financial incentive scheme to attract and retain staff was mixed at best and divisive at worst, particularly in regional areas.
“Our principals are struggling to put teachers in front of classes, students are missing out, with those living in regional areas and the disability sector experiencing the greatest disadvantage.”
Recommendations inside the report include the introduction of a 40-word phonics check in Year 1 at all Victorian Government schools, consistent with national best-practice.
It also recommends the Allan Labor Government provide a progress update on the implementation of the Bennett Review within 12 months in response to the error-plagued VCE examination periods in recent years.
A copy of the full Inquiry Report can be found here
