A future Labor Government will invest heavily in improving literacy standards for Tasmanians who have been left behind by the Liberals.
Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White said addressing Tasmania's literacy woes should be a top priority for Government.
"A Labor Government would invest heavily in literacy reform guided by the experts to help set students up for a good life," Ms White said.
"Tasmania has some of the worst literacy levels in the nation and it's clear a change is needed.
"Education experts and everyday Tasmanians are scratching their heads trying to work out why the Liberal Government won't do more to fix literacy in Tasmania."
The 100% Literacy Alliance, a collective of organisations and individuals with the shared aim of achieving 100 per cent literacy levels in Tasmania, wrote to the Premier in October 2022 stating its concerns about the Liberal Government's broken promises regarding literacy (letter attached).
As the Alliance points out in its letter, since announcing its steps to address literacy shortcomings, "the Liberal Government has not delivered on its commitments".
"We think it is important to draw your attention to the confusion expressed to us by experts in other States as well as members of the Tasmanian community, including many in the education system, because the announced priorities of the Government are not being reflected in operational decisions, particularly within the Department of Education (DoE)," the Alliance's letter said.
"Literacy skills are critical building blocks for Tasmanians to live a good life," Shadow Minister for Education Josh Willie said.
"Without these skills, tasks that many people take for granted such as applying for a job or filling out housing applications, become too daunting and are not completed.
"This can have a profound negative impact on not only their lives, but the lives of their children, perpetuating intergenerational disadvantage.
"With their misguided priorities, the Liberals are letting Tasmanians down when it comes to literacy, and it's beyond time this changed."
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years
