Top marks for education

THE past fortnight has been somewhat of a celebration for education in the state. Last week gowned students proudly strode through the streets of Burnie and Launceston as the University of Tasmania marked the graduations from campuses in the North and North-West. More than 850 students received their degrees in Launceston and another 105 were honoured in Burnie.

This week the celebrations have turned south with more than 2600 students receiving their gongs across several graduation ceremonies in Hobart.

Brightly coloured sashes contrasting with the black gowns have signified newly qualified teachers, social workers, doctors, accountants, economists, engineers, lawyers and architects. The range of study has included languages, business, marketing, sciences and the arts.

Meanwhile, almost 12,000 students yesterday received their Tasmanian Certificate of Education results and we have published the top 100 highestachieving students from across the state in today’s pages.

Tasmania’s TCE results are the product of marks achieved in years 11 and 12 and are considered to be the toughest years of high school. Students are ranked on their marks to produce an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score which determines which are offered positions at universities across the nation.

A MILESTONE WORTH CELEBRATING IS THE GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE NUMBER OF TASMANIAN STUDENTS ACHIEVING THEIR TCE. THERE IS STILL A WAY TO GO BUT THE PROGRESS IS WELCOME.

It’s curious then that the education department in recent years has chosen not to release the names of students (usually one or two) who have topped the state — those who have achieved the highest possible ATAR rank — instead opting for the top 100 list.

The Mercury can reveal one of those highest achievers — Elizabeth College student Harshika Herath. We found her by contacting as many schools with students listed in the top 100 as we could to ask if they might help us track down the top students. There may be others who matched Ms Herath’s remarkable score but we simply don’t know yet.

Some will argue that it shouldn’t be seen as a competition, that everyone in the top 100 should be celebrated equally. We agree — as should those who achieved to their highest potential among the other 11,900 students. That’s not the point. We should also celebrate the best.

Another milestone worth celebrating is the gradual improvement in the number of Tasmanian students achieving their TCE. The Liberal Government should be given credit for rapidly introducing years 11 and 12 at high school across the state.

It is a sensible and long-overdue reform which is reaping rewards. There has been a 10 per cent increase in TCE attainment since the reforms were introduced.

In an interview with the Mercury this week Premier Will Hodgman said he believed it was “the most significant and vital reform agenda in a generation in this state”.

There is still a way to go but the progress is welcome. Education is a game-changer in solving many of the problems the state faces.

Responsibility for all editorial comment is taken by the Editor, Chris Jones, Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart, TAS, 7000