Alarming new education data showing Tasmania’s education outcomes are at the bottom of the national class and going backwards is yet more evidence that an inquiry is needed to understand the issues holding our students back.

It’s hard to find positives in today’s Report on Government Services education data, which shows just 53 per cent of students met Year 12 requirements in 2022 – 23 per cent below the national average, and down nearly five per cent from the year prior.

Tasmania also recorded the worst attendance rates of any of the states.

The results make it clear that we need to identify and focus on what we can do differently to better support children to learn.

No one is doubting the efforts of Tasmania’s educators and staff who work incredibly hard under challenging circumstances.

Labor stands for safe, secure and well-paid jobs.

We know that to get people into these jobs, there’s nothing more important than an education system that supports children, educators and parents.

Ensuring Tasmania’s schools are properly resourced is a critical component of improving the education system and we are strong supporters of the AEU’s campaign for every school to be funded to one hundred per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard.

We also strongly believe that an inquiry is the best way to work out what we can do differently to support children, and we will continue to push for improved education outcomes for Tasmania.

Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years