The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to improving education and training outcomes for all Tasmanians.
I welcome the release of the Report of the Auditor-General, Improving Outcomes for Senior Secondary Students in Tasmania.
Pleasingly, the Report found that overall, Tasmania’s performance is heading in the right direction, with improved access to senior secondary courses since 2014 and increased state-level retention and attainment rates.
Since 2014, our Government has invested in an ambitious reform agenda to help young Tasmanians access education, no matter where they live.
We have extended all Tasmanian Government secondary and district schools to deliver Years 11 and 12; developed the system to support student tracking and engagement; and worked with education sector partners to improve senior secondary education and training options.
We know there is always more work to do, and that education reform requires generational change. However, we are already seeing a positive change in the attitudes of young Tasmanians, their families and the wider community that education and training does not finish in Year I0.
We are seeing more students staying at school longer and achieving more while they are there.
Education attainment over the past 10 years is growing, with the most recent data showing that students achieved:
- 16.4% increase in attainment of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)
- 1.1% increase in attainment of an Australian Tertiary Admission Ranking (ATAR)
- 4.3% increase in attainment of a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate.
The Report’s findings also note the effective consultation with stakeholders undertaken by the Department of Education, across the three major projects and sufficient support provided to schools during implementation phase.
The Report also provides valuable guidance on opportunities to refine the management of projects.
The Department of Education has already taken a number of steps to enhance its project management capabilities, including work to establish a Project Management Office function and the facilitation of project management training for staff.
The recommendations will be used to guide efforts going forward. An ongoing focus on continuous improvement will ensure the planning; implementation and monitoring; and evaluation of projects drive better outcomes for all learners, children and young people.
Our Government is committed to increasing attendance, retention and attainment rates, and ensuring all students can access appropriate pathways based on their goals and aspirations.
