Inquiry finds Vic state education failing teachers and students

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 Inquiry was established by The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Melina Bath.

Ms Bath said Victoria’s state education system is operating under increasing pressure, fuelled by a teacher shortage crisis and an ever-growing administration burden.

“The Victorian Teaching and Learning model urgently requires updating to improve clarity and useability to help bolster declining student literacy and numeracy.

“Our hardworking teachers are over worked, and suffering burn out – there’s a clear lack of direction from the education department and state government.

“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 the regions.

“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.

“Gippsland teacher Matt Kell told the Inquiry at a Bairnsdale hearing, that ‘public education is on the brink of collapse in the regions’.”

The Inquiry report recommends the introduction of a 40-word phonics check in Year 1 in 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 following error-plagued VCE examination periods over recent years.

Ms Bath said to better support the education of vulnerable children in out of home care Labor must stop its penny-pinching and adopt all 47 of the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s ‘let us learn’ recommendations as identified in the report.

“It was recommended that Victoria implement the national guidelines for reducing restrictive practices including consequences for breaching.”

Ms Bath expressed her sincere thanks to all who made submissions, presented at hearings, and provided insights, particularly those from my eastern Victoria electorate.

“The Inquiry highlighted that too many students are slipping through the cracks and Labor must do better,” said Ms Bath.

A copy of the full Inquiry Report can be found here.