A significant education reform initiative aims to address the rising dropout rates among high school students in New South Wales (NSW). At just 15 years old, Taliah Blakeley is one of many who have left school before completing their final year. After experiencing severe bullying, she made the difficult decision to leave her public school and pursue her studies at TAFE.
Taliah, who exited school in year nine, described the bullying as “out of control.” She noted that it is not uncommon for students to leave school early due to similar issues. As she explained, “I was done with the school. They weren’t doing anything. I moved to another public school, and there was no support for my learning.” Currently, Taliah is working towards her educational goals by completing a year 10 working and skills certificate at TAFE.
The dropout crisis has garnered attention from Federal Education Minister Jason Clare, who highlighted the issue during a speech on January 10, 2023. Clare emphasized the stark contrast between public and private school completion rates, stating that students in independent and Catholic schools are more likely to finish year 12. “In independent and Catholic schools, completion rates are high and are either stable or going up,” he said. “It’s in our public schools where the real challenge is.”
According to Clare, the percentage of public school students completing year 12 has dropped significantly over the past decade, from approximately 83% to as low as 73%. In NSW, this figure is even more concerning, with only 67% of public school students graduating last year.
In response to the troubling statistics, Clare has proposed a comprehensive plan to reform the education system. He has requested state and territory education ministers to consider consolidating four major federal education agencies into a single entity known as the Teaching and Learning Commission. This new commission would serve as a centralized body to facilitate improvements and manage funding agreements across schools.
The proposed reforms aim not only to improve completion rates but also to provide better support systems for students like Taliah, who have faced challenges that hinder their educational progress. As discussions around this initiative continue, the focus remains on ensuring that all students receive the necessary resources and support to succeed in their academic journeys.
