Tasmania's hardworking teachers are under extraordinary pressure and can only work within government policy settings.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said after seven years of failures, Peter Gutwein not only attempted to avoid this year's NAPLAN results, but has broken a crucial education promise.
"In the lead up to the 2018 election, the Liberal Party pledged that by 2020, Tasmanian students would be at or above the national average in reading, writing and maths," Mr Willie said.
"Yet in 2021 our results are the worst of any state across every age group in reading, the second worst in every age group in writing, the worst in every age group in spelling, the worst in every age group in grammar and punctuation and the worst in years 5,7 and 9 in numeracy.
"The Government have broken their promise to Tasmanians and after seven years as Treasurer, Peter Gutwein has no idea how to improve the education system.
"Whilst acknowledging that NAPLAN is a snapshot in time and could still be improved, it is an agreed national assessment and the results can't be ignored."
Mr Willie said while all other state governments were talking results this morning, Peter Gutwein had chosen avoid it, with Education Minister Sarah Courtney only making comment once questioned in Parliament.
"Peter Gutwein and Education Minister Courtney know the government is failing Tasmanian students, they know these results are not good enough and they know they have broken a key 2018 election promise.
"Tasmanian economist Saul Eslake said fixing Tasmania's underperforming education system is the only way for Tasmania to grasp the opportunities presently before us.
"What is the government going to do to support our students to ensure results improve? What are they doing to support teachers and school staff? It is clear their current plan is not working."
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Education Minister
