A new survey targeted at the Tasmanian education sector aims to canvas all sides of the debate surrounding changes to the school starting age.
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It comes after the state government’s review into a proposal to lower the compulsory school stage age at prep to four years and six months.
As a result, the non-compulsory starting age for kindergarten would drop to three years, six months.
Tasmanian demographer Amina Keygan launched an anonymous online survey targeted at Department of Education employees who were contractually prevented from voicing an opinion.
Ms Keygan said it was important all stakeholders had their voices heard.
“We need to have a discussion about Tasmania’s levels of educational attainment and retention rates,” she said.
“Without their voices being added to our public debate, in a clear and transparent way, we are missing a huge opportunity to engage in real educational reform.”
She said she would be presenting presenting the report to the Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff possibly before the spring, as it was uncertain when the legislation would be presented to cabinet.
The survey also asked respondents whether they agree with increasing the school leavers age to 18, Certificate III, or Tasmanian Certificate of Education equivalent.
Unitingcare Tasmania CEO Lindy O’Neill said it was hugely important to ensure children were ‘school ready’ before they enter the education system through the early learning sector.
“Kinder in the new proposal is not compulsory, so the children who are already missing out on early learning, will continue to miss out, because different decisions get made in different households” she said.
Tasmanian Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott said it was important all the issues were known to all those involved.
“It’s important to remember that play-based learning transforms to inquiry-based learning around the Australian curriculum for children as they get older and they move into grade 1, 2 and 3 and so on,” he said.
Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff said the review of Tasmania’s Education Act has been a highly consultative process.
“I’m always interested in the views of teachers and educators when it comes to education in Tasmania.”
“There have been three rounds of consultation and hundreds of submissions have been received from people throughout the state.
There have also been public forums and public information sessions and educators have been welcomed to those events.”
The survey is available online at: http://www.aminakeygan.com/