New NAPLAN data shows almost 30 per cent of Victorian school students are falling further behind in basic standards for Mathematics and English under Labor.
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and The Nationals’ Melina Bath said as a former teacher she found the latest NAPLAN results “highly concerning.”
“It is alarming that almost one third of our young people are failing to meet basic literacy and numeracy standards,” said Ms Bath.
“The Allan Labor Government’s mismanagement of the education sector has created crippling workforce shortages, teacher administration burdens, an overcrowded curriculum, and an increase in student school refusal.
“The best outcomes for student education and wellbeing are achieved by having an education system designed and resourced to let teachers teach and prevent burnout.
“A greater focus on structured teaching of numeracy and literacy must be prioritised immediately.”
Ms Bath said the divide between city and regional students is widening with a greater increase of regional children falling through the cracks.
“Declining proficiency in literacy and numeracy in regional Victoria is one of the core reasons why The Nationals moved to establish the Inquiry into Victoria’s state education system.
“Public education is under significant pressure, families are paying more and receiving less, while teacher vacancies in Gippsland have almost quadrupled since the beginning of the year.
“Our education inquiry has heard evidence that in one school alone 100 positions were advertised, with 15 interviews conducted, resulting in only two appointments.[1]
“The Allan Labor Government spends the least of any Australian government on education and it has failed to address the teacher shortage and falling student results.
“To have a generation of students passing through school without learning the necessary baseline skills to secure employment and positively participate in society is unacceptable.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our education system and Victorian students are paying the price.”
[1] Submission 271 Inquiry into the state education system in Victoria
