Tasmanian children could be starting school at a younger age, under a proposal by the state government announced today.
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Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff today announced that the government would be reviewing the Education Act, particularly focusing on compulsory starting and leaving school ages.
"Currently, Tasmania has the oldest starting age in the country and this means our students are able to legally leave school in an earlier grade than other states," a release from Mr Rockliff says.
"Children do not begin compulsory schooling in Tasmania till the year after they turn five, which means many will turn 17, the minimum age that they can leave, early in Year 11.
"The review will consider lowering the school starting age to four years and six months to align with other states, and extending the school leaving age to 18.
"We are advised this could result in 2000 more young Tasmanians finishing Year 12 or equivalent each year."
The review will also address school attendance levels and engagement, and managing student behaviour.
Submissions to the review will close on December 31.
A discussion paper is available at www.education.tas.gov.au