
The education union in Tasmania is advocating for action in response to the findings of a comprehensive review of the state's education sector. The review, spearheaded by Vicky Baylis, a former Northern Territory education department head, was initiated by the Tasmania government last year to enhance educational achievements in the region. Despite significant efforts, Tasmania's year 12 attainment rate in 2022 stood at 53.1%, marking it as the poorest performing state or territory in the nation as revealed by the latest Productivity Commission report.
The released review pinpointed six critical areas for enhancement, concentrating on aspects like literacy outcomes and the welfare of staff within the education system. However, a notable limitation of the review was the absence of a thorough examination of the requirements of minority student populations, including Aboriginal students, culturally diverse students, and those from various marginalized backgrounds. Vicky Baylis acknowledged Tasmania's potential and highlighted the need for substantial improvements, emphasizing the existing challenges that the state faces despite its strengths in various areas.
David Genford, the president of the Australian Education Union (AEU) Tasmanian Branch, stressed the pivotal role that governmental actions would play in shaping the future impacts of the review. He emphasized the necessity for changes along with adequate funding and a cultural shift within the education department to bring about the desired improvements. The review acknowledged the time constraints it faced during the 18-week period of its conduct, which limited its capacity to delve into issues concerning the diverse needs of student groups such as Aboriginal students, linguistically diverse backgrounds, and the LGBTQIA+ community.