Almost one-third of parents are fed up with Australia’s education system: survey

ALMOST one-third of parents are fed-up with Australia’s education system, saying their kids are woefully unprepared to tackle post-schooling life.

Sarah Booth and her children Isaac, 4, and Josie, 2. Picture: Patrick Gee

EXCLUSIVE

NEARLY a third of parents are fed up with the state of our nation’s education system, saying their children are being woefully underprepared for life outside the school gate.

A national survey of 1500 parents of young children found 29 per cent believe our education system is getting worse at equipping our kids with the skills they need and schools are not doing enough to transition students to post-schooling life.

While just 18 per cent believe the state of education is getting better.

News Corp Australia can exclusively reveal the findings of a Goodstart Early Learning poll of parents that also found the overwhelming majority want subsidised preschool extended to three year olds. Pre school is currently subsidised for four year olds.

Melbourne dad Mark Thomas and his two daughters Madison 6 and Sierra 8. Picture: Kylie Else

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A total of 77 per cent of those surveyed supported such a move and said it should be implemented immediately.

It comes as the federal government is eyeing axing its contribution to preschool or kindergarten with funding due to cease in December and no firm commitment going forward.

Currently states pay two-thirds of a subsidy to provide 600 hours of preschool for four-year-olds with the federal government footing the bill for the remaining third.

Senator Birmingham said the contribution was only ever intended to be a top up.

“The Turnbull Government is committed to ensuring all children have access to quality early learning and care,” Minister Birmingham said while refusing to answer if funding would be continued.

Rachel and Ben Bushing with their kids Felix (5), Kit (2) and Inez (5) at their Moorooka home. Picture: Peter Wallis

John Cherry Advocacy Manager for Goodstart said Australia needed to do better on education for kids aged three to eight years of age.

“This survey highlights the need for Australia to develop a more comprehensive approach to education from ages 3 to 8 that better supports children as they grow in their learning,” Mr Cherry said.

“Possibly our schools could learn from interacting more with our early learning centres which, at the high quality end, have a strong emphasis on each child’s individual learning journey.”

Researchers from the Mitchell Institute say children between ages 3-5 experience a “brain explosion” and benefit most from adult-led learning.

Dr Stacey Fox, Policy Fellow at the Mitchell Institute said schools and preschools needed to better lay the groundwork for ensuring children grow to be successful adults.

She said ongoing commonwealth funding for preschool was “urgently needed”.

Hobart mum Sarah Booth and her children Isaac, 4, and Josie, 2. Picture: Patrick Gee

“At three to five years there is an explosion in brain development that allows children to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and creative, curios and collaborative learners. And they learn these skills most effectively with support from adults,” Dr Fox said.

“Early education is at least as important as school and needs committed, ongoing support from governments to ensure all children have the right to access two years of high quality preschool.”

The Parenthood says we are setting our kids up for failure without a greater focus on early learning.

“We would love to see kindy and preschool extended to two years before school,” The Parenthood acting executive director Nicole Lessio said.

“We know children who are prepared for schools are better able to cope with school and their outcomes are improved.”

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