Opinion

If kids can’t read, then the writing is on the wall for them

Teaching children to read is a core promise of our education system. Every time we fail to deliver on this promise, we shut down a lifetime’s possibilities.

Jordana Hunter and Anika Stobart

May 19, 2023 – 2.25pm

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There is no shortage of debate about the purpose or design of Australian school education. But one thing parents and politicians of all stripes can agree on is that every child who goes to school should learn to read well.

The sobering results from the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) survey on the reading performance of year 4 students, released on Tuesday, show that Australia has some work to do to make this a reality.

Jordana Hunter is the Education Program Director at Grattan Institute.

Anika Stobart is an associate at the Grattan Institute.