A recent report has highlighted a significant educational crisis for boys in Australia, revealing that they are increasingly falling behind girls in both academic success and pathways to high-skilled employment. According to the research conducted by the Australian Population Research Institute, only about one-quarter of male students from government schools pursue university degrees. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent call for state governments to implement measures aimed at bridging this widening gap.
The report, titled School choice and careers, utilizes a decade of census data to analyze the outcomes of students across Australia’s three main education systems: government, Catholic, and independent schools. It identifies substantial disparities in educational achievements, particularly among male students.
In particular, the findings reveal that boys in government schools have the lowest rates of university attendance. For instance, in Victoria, only 28 percent of boys who attended government schools in 2011 had earned a university degree by 2021, compared to 43 percent of girls from the same background. In contrast, the percentages rise significantly for students from Catholic and independent schools, with 40 percent of boys and 59 percent of girls from Catholic schools and 51 percent of boys and 68 percent of girls from independent schools achieving university qualifications.
The report’s author, David McCloskey, emphasized the troubling implications of these findings. He stated, “It’s a catastrophe in terms of education for males, and the gap is widening enormously between academic success of males and females.” McCloskey argued that the existing education system contradicts Australia’s ethos of providing equal opportunities for all.
The research also highlights the advantage that private school students enjoy in the job market. Boys from independent schools have a much higher likelihood of securing high-skilled occupations, such as medicine, with 33 percent achieving these roles. In comparison, only 18 percent of boys from government schools attain such positions. The report indicates that this trend creates a stratified society, undermining the principle of a “fair go” that Australia has long championed.
Interestingly, New South Wales (NSW) presents a different scenario. The state has been successful in producing a higher number of graduates in high-skill professions, particularly in medicine. The report points out that NSW government schools outperform those in other states, producing significantly more graduates who enter medical careers. This success is attributed to the state’s 47 government-run select entry schools, which require students to pass a competitive exam for admission.
McCloskey suggests that other states could benefit from establishing more select entry schools to provide academically talented students from diverse backgrounds with access to quality education without the prohibitive costs associated with private schooling. He noted, “Parents can then choose to send their kids to apply for the selective entry schools… the pool that can do that is far wider than it would be, compared to only those who could afford the fees of the independent schools.”
Efforts are underway in Victoria to address these educational disparities. The government opened the Centre for Higher Education Studies in South Yarra in 2022, aimed at increasing the flow of students from state schools to universities. Principal Stewart Milner reported that the centre is successfully generating enthusiasm for higher education among students. Approximately 650 high-achieving students from government schools are enrolled in part-time university-level courses, which are offered at no cost to them or their schools.
Milner expressed optimism about the centre’s impact, stating, “Those sorts of opportunities can change minds. They often leave the lectures, the master classes and the tutorials we run and say, ‘If this is what university is like, then I can’t wait to do it.’” This initiative represents a proactive approach to combating the educational inequities identified in the report.
The report also raises concerns about Australia’s ability to meet its Universities Accord target, which aims for 90 percent of school graduates to obtain a tertiary qualification. Currently, only about 55 percent of the Australian working-age population holds such qualifications. Educational researcher Dr. Melinda Hildebrandt warned against assuming that all young people aspire to attend university, highlighting the need to recognize diverse career aspirations.
Australia stands at a critical juncture regarding its educational landscape. The findings of this report call for immediate action to ensure that all students, particularly boys from disadvantaged backgrounds, have equitable access to educational and career opportunities. Without intervention, the current trends may perpetuate and exacerbate existing inequalities within the Australian education system.
