Nearly 25,000 teachers, parents, guardians and students have taken part in a national survey to help shape the future of school education.
The survey was released in May 2023, as part of the Expert Panel Review into the next National School Reform Agreement. The survey responses are being considered by the Expert Panel review into the next National School Reform Agreement, chaired by Dr Lisa O’Brien AM.
“The Expert Panel is seeking the views of teachers, parents and students through the survey to help inform the development of recommendations for our report, due to all Australian Education Ministers at the end of October,” said Dr Lisa O’Brien.
In addition to the survey, the Expert panel has been consulting with stakeholders and visiting schools across the country to review “what is working, what isn’t working, and what more is required to improve student learning and wellbeing outcomes.”
Survey participants werer invited to have their say on range of issues including:
- Improving education outcomes
- Supporting student health and wellbeing, and
- Supporting and retaining teachers.
“I’d like to thank the teachers, parents and students who took part in this survey which will help shape a better and fairer education system,” said Minister for Education Jason Clare.
“The results underscore just how important our teachers are and the incredible job they are doing in our schools, and further highlights the practical reforms that could make our education system a lot better and a lot fairer.”
Key feedback from the survey includes:
- 87 percent of parents and 78 percent of students said teachers give students the encouragement they needed.
- 82 percent of students say their school makes them feel welcome.
- 74 percent of teachers said reducing workload would help lift student outcomes.
- 35 percent of parents and 40 percent of students are concerned about classroom disruption and its impact on learning.
- 55 percent of parents said access to small group and individual tutoring would support their child.
- 77 percent of parents and 59 percent of teachers support improved access to allied health professionals, including occupational therapists and speech pathologists.
- In total, 13,684 teachers, 8,494 parents/guardians and 2,790 students took part in the survey.
“We are committed to working with State and Territory Governments to get every school on a path to 100 per cent of its fair funding level,” said Minister Clare.
“That funding is important, but so is what it’s spent on. This survey will help identify the practical things that are needed to help students who fall behind catch up and help more students finish high school,” he concluded.
The Expert Panel will provide a final report to Education Ministers by 31 October 2023 advising on the reforms that should be tied to funding in the next National School Reform Agreement.
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