We call on whoever wins the upcoming 23 March 2024 election and forms the next Tasmanian Government to commission an independent inquiry into the effectiveness of the Tasmanian Education System and its functions, within the first 100 days of assuming office.
We believe the outcome of an independent inquiry will provide the Government of the day the opportunity to reform the Tasmanian Education System as needed to ensure that young Tasmanians benefit from education at least to the same extent as their equals elsewhere in Australia.
We acknowledge the good intentions of the current and previous governments to improve educational outcomes for young Tasmanians. But, while there has been significant investment in the education system to this end, there has been little improvement.
Indeed, data provided by the Productivity Commission’s most recent Report on Government Services shows the gap between Tasmanian educational outcomes and those in other jurisdictions is large and widening. Just 53% of young Tasmanians are leaving school with a Year 12 or equivalent qualification, compared to 76% nationally.
This is despite the Tasmanian Government already spending more money per student than all other jurisdictions, bar the Northern Territory, and having higher ratios of staff to students.
Many now agree that the system is not functioning as it should, nor is it meeting the needs of Tasmania, nor Tasmanians.
There is also little agreement as to the scale and source of the problem, nor how it can fixed. Tasmania deserves a fresh approach.
We believe that an inquiry must have the authority to establish why young Tasmanians are not achieving educational outcomes like their peers in other states. And, that an inquiry must have the expertise to recommend solutions to the cause/s of the problems identified.
The inquiry should be led by an acknowledged educational leader of national standing and include members with expertise and experience in effective education reform.
The Inquiry must:
*Clearly articulate the objective of an educational system fit for Tasmania and Tasmanians in the 21st century
*Map the different parts of the existing system and their roles and functions as they currently operate
*Assess whether the different parts of the existing system are functioning as needed
*Clarify how the Tasmanian education system compares with those of other states’ and territories’ in processes, regulation and outcomes; and
*Make recommendations for improving the system including, if needed but not limited to, changes in legislation, regulations, organizational structure, staffing and curriculum.
We make this call out of our shared deep concern for the future of young Tasmanians, and their families, for the well-being of all, and for the broader Tasmanian community and economy. It is no longer acceptable that Tasmania continues to languish at the bottom of Australia’s economic and social indicators.
We believe that an effectively functioning Tasmanian Education System is the key to unlocking a brighter future for all Tasmanians.
TasLabor has responded to the Open Letter calling for an independent Inquiry into the effectiveness of the Tasmanian Education System:
"An incoming Labor Government will facilitate a comprehensive independent inquiry of Tasmania's education system. The inquiry must look at the system holistically, be objective and designed with no predetermined agendas.
Improving education outcomes is the most effective policy area the state government can use to improve all Tasmanian lives and the economy.
It's time for a better future and that starts with high quality education for Tasmanian children under a Rebecca White led government."
The Tasmanian Liberals have also responded and we hope they reconsider their position:
“We are absolutely committed to improving education outcomes in Tasmania, which is why we took the bold and successful decision to extend all our high schools to Year 12 and in 2024 introduced structured literacy into Tasmanian public schools. We are always working to improve our education system, including consulting with experts, however do we not support outsourcing our education policy.”
Tomorrow, 23 March 2024, is 'polling day' for the Tasmanian election.
At this stage, only Tasmanian Labor has committed to commissioning "a comprehensive independent review of Tasmania’s education system to better understand why Tasmania's system has consistently underperformed other states and territories. We must pull every lever we can to achieve better outcomes for our kids and states future." See: taslabor.org.au/news/policy-announcements/helping-...
We have received no formal response from the Tasmanian Liberal Party nor the Tasmanian Greens.
A number of independent candidates are signatories to the Open Letter including Jack Davenport, Clare Glade-Wright, Sue Hickey, Kristie Johnston, Jenny Branch-Allen, Lara Alexander, Angela Armstrong (JLN) and Andrea Courtney.
Several current MLCs are also signatories to the Open Letter, as are Federal Liberal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer and Federal Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie.
While it may be some time before the next Premier and Tasmanian Government is known, we will use this Open Letter platform to keep signatories updated on progress.
Thank you,
Saul Eslake, Michael Rowan and Lisa Denny