Today’s final NAPLAN 2011 report confirms why we need a Government prepared to invest in education instead of cutting it to the bone. Tasmanian students simply can’t afford Labor and the Greens’ cruel budget cuts.
The most alarming results were in writing. In year 7, fourteen per cent of Tasmanian students do not meet the minimum national standard, twice as many as any other state – while in year 9 nearly a quarter of our students can’t write to minimum standard.
Tasmania was also the worst performing state for spelling in year levels 5, 7 and 9.
Of the five categories assessed the number of Tasmanian students that are at or above the minimum standard was consistently below the national average.
It is important to bear in mind that this summary of NAPLAN data represents the progress of individual school students. The Liberals believe in supporting individual students to reach their potential in life – that is why this data is concerning to us.
Tasmania is lucky enough to have very dedicated and skilled teachers who work hard with limited resources. The problem is a total lack of leadership by the Green-Labor Government.
Instead of investing in schools, Mr McKim is looking to close them. Instead of addressing student resource needs he is slashing school budgets.
Only a majority Liberal Hodgman Government is prepared to prioritise education and invest in our children. We have already announced a $60 million Education Investment and School Retention fund and have a policy to address the worst year 12 completion rates in the nation by extending high schools to year 12.
