Top marks on retention

Year 12 numbers now beating national average

THE state government has presided over a sustained increase in Tasmania’s school retention rate, new figures show.

The latest data on school education from the Productivity Commission shows Tasmania’s apparent retention rate to Year 12 in government schools was 80.4 per cent in 2019.

That figure is above the national mark of 78.0 per cent.

In 2014 when the Liberals took office the retention rate was 70 per cent.

Tasmania’s woeful retention rate was motivation for one of the Liberals’ signature policies – to extend all of the state’s government high schools to Year 12.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff welcomed the latest figures.

“This strong result clearly demonstrates our plan to keep more students engaged in education by extending all high schools to years 11 and 12 is working,” Mr Rockliff said on Monday.

“This is further supported by changes to the Education Act, which mean students are now required to stay at school until they complete Year 12 or a Certificate III, or turn 18 years of age.

“We also recognise the importance of early learning, and the data shows Tasmania has the highest portion of children enrolled in a preschool program the year before full-time schooling for 15 hours per week or more.

“We will continue to deliver increased access to high quality early learning through our Child and Family Learning Centres and our nation-leading Working Together initiative.”

So far 58 Tasmanian high and district schools have extended to Year 12.

The Productivity Commission Report on Government Services also showed Tasmania’s Year 12 attainment rate in 2019, or the proportion of students who met the requirement of a Year 12 Certificate, was 58 per cent.

This compared with the national rate of 72 per cent.

The number of Tasmanian school leavers fully engaged in education or work was 54.5 per cent, compared with 63.2 per cent nationally.

In terms of teacher ratios, the report showed the ratio in Tasmania was 13.7 at government schools, compared with the national rate of 14.2.

Mr Rockliff also pointed to figures showing increased investment per student in government schools to $19,517.