Jeff Kennett: Our kids’ education is too important to be left to this Labor government

Our public school system is under huge pressure for staff, while the payroll tax for non-government schools is causing pain all round. Something is seriously wrong in the administration of education in Victoria.

The education of Victoria’s students is too important to be left to the current Labor government. Picture: Getty

Education in Victoria is provided by private and government schools.

The former has just been hit by the state government’s payroll tax of 7 per cent, which is causing pain both for parents and schools. How this might alter the demand for private schools except for the wealthy, and the increased pressure this will place on the public system, is too early to determine.

The public system is under incredible pressure for staffing. Teachers are leaving the service, and the provision of schools and classrooms in rapidly expanding communities is well behind demand.

Very sadly the disclosures in recent weeks that the examination system for senior students has been corrupted by access to the exam questions is absolutely unacceptable. And it’s not the first time.

Students and parents have been let down. Results are now totally irrelevant. It is not fair on teachers of those students.

Something is seriously wrong within the administration of education in Victoria.

The education of our students is too important to be left to this current Labor government.

Jeff Kennett is a former Liberal premier of Victoria