THE BEST PLACE TO GROW UP IN AUSTRALIA

OUR COMMITMENTS Ensuring the government implements all the recommendations of the Inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools in full within four years. Delivering a concurrent program to catch up the children who have fallen behind prior to the inquiry. WHAT WE STAND FOR Providing high-quality education that is accessible to all with opportunities that are not dependent on wealth, postcode or choice of school system. Closing the Indigenous education gap. Providing additional resources to teachers to support children who need extra time and attention. Reducing the time teachers are required to spend on administrative tasks. Tackling the youth mental health crisis in our schools.

WHY WE NEED CHANGE

The ACT ranks overall as either first or second in all areas of numeracy and literacy in comparison to other States and Territories. Yet, there is a significant and persistent gap in literacy and numeracy performance for children from different backgrounds. Teachers and parents are telling us our schools do not have sufficient resources to ensure each child is receiving the support they need to reap the advantages of a quality education.

Children with an Indigenous background are substantially more likely to have poor literacy and numeracy skills than kids from other cultural backgrounds.
The ACT shows the strongest correlation in the country, after the NT, between socioeconomic status and educational outcomes. At Year 3, disadvantaged children are already one and a half years behind their advantaged classmates. When they reach Year 9, they’re four years behind.
The 2023-24 Inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools received 295 survey responses and 96 written submissions, and undertook consultations across 53 ACT public schools, finding a clear and consistent message about the need for centralised curriculum support, consistent assessment tools, and additional resources to alleviate the heavy workloads of teachers.
39.3 per cent of ACT children surveyed in the Mission Australia Youth Survey 2023 reported mental health as a barrier to achieving study or work goals, and 28.8 per cent reported feeling very or extremely concerned about mental health.