Committee undertakes comprehensive review of Victoria’s state education system

The most comprehensive review of Victoria’s state schools in years has recommended a raft of changes to the education system, including an end to the exclusion of disabled children and a review of potentially deadly physical restraints.

The most comprehensive review of Victoria’s education system has been tabled in parliament.

The most comprehensive review of the state education system in years has recommended an end to the exclusion of children with disabilities and a review of the potentially deadly physical restraints of children.

In October last year, the Herald Sun revealed 44 Victorian schools where students with disabilities have suffered seclusion, neglect and abuse, including being locked in cages and tied to chairs.

The Legislative Council inquiry into the practices and outcomes at government schools, tabled in Victorian parliament on Tuesday, noted that such practices “can result in injury or even death” and urged a review of current procedures.

Photos of injuries sustained by a Victorian student with autism, ADHD and dyslexia due to bullying from other students.

The measure has already been called “deeply disappointing” by disability advocates who wanted restraint to be banned, not just reviewed.

The bipartisan committee also suggested reviews of the “overcrowded curriculum”, school zoning and Respectful Relationships education.

It also expressed serious concerns about the teacher shortfall which is expected to reach more than 5000 educators by 2028, calling for a review of teacher recruitment and retention practices such as funding inducements of up to $50,000.

The committee also suggests a behaviour survey to gauge classroom disruption and an update of behaviour policy “in line with contemporary behaviour expectations”.

The inquiry, which received 274 submissions, had wide ranging terms of reference into strategies to retain and recruit teachers, student wellbeing post-Covid, administrative burdens and the adequacy of school funding.

The committee expressed serious concerns about the teacher shortfall. Picture: Stock image

The committee, chaired by Liberal Trung Luu, noted that its considerations are the “most comprehensive look at our state education system in many years – certainly since the dramatic impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on all of us”.

He thanked all of the people who sent submissions and said he hoped the report would ensure the education system “can better meet the needs of Victorians”.

In other findings likely to have long-term implications for the Victorian education sector, the committee concluded:

•NAPLAN results do not give a clear indication of performance and new targets of achievement are needed

•Students should be taught practical life skills such as budgeting, taxation and civic engagement at school

•A 40-word phonics check should be introduced in year one

•Students should also be assessed on non-academic outcomes

•The employment of pre-service teachers needs to be fast-tracked in certain curriculum areas, and should look at an internship model

The committee also recommended the government report back on the adoption of changes to exam-setting procedures.

The committee also recommended the government report back to parliament on the adoption of changes to exam-setting procedures in light of the Bennett review arising from VCE maths exam errors.

It also suggested that the Department of Education resume publishing progress on education statistics and targets, review funding for the failed $1.2b Tutor Learning Initiative and assess funding for Virtual Schools Victoria.

The committee also recommended more funding for before-and-after-school care, more funding to pay for time-in-lieu provisions in the workplace agreement and more funding to help schools address students’ wellbeing.

Some of the most passionate submissions were from disability advocates who warned restrictive practices, such as allowing children with disabilities to be tied up or secluded in windowless rooms, should be reassessed.

The committee also noted that the “Department of Education review provision of resources to schools to ensure that exclusionary practices of students with disabilities are phased out”.

Julie Phillips questioned the adequacy of yet another review.

Disability advocate Julie Phillips, who sent a detailed submission to the inquiry, questioned the adequacy of yet another review.

“When a recommendation says to review something it simply requires them to have a look at something and then if they don’t want to do anything about it they don’t have to because you only ask them to review it,” she said.

“The exclusion and segregation is just going to continue as is and that is costing Victorian taxpayers millions of dollars because of all the discrimination complaints that’s being lodged against the department.”

Ms Phillips also said it was “deeply disappointing and indicates the committee is not really concerned as to whether children with a disability are injured or killed as a result of these practices,” she said.

The 330-page report also suggested the Victorian government, which is at war with the federal government over school funding, “significantly increase its investment in school capital infrastructure” and advocate for more Commonwealth capital funds.

A minority report was written by Greens Aiv Puglielli calling for a review of the VCE and ATAR system and a statewide First Nations program, among other suggestions.

The motion to establish the inquiry was made in the parliament by Eastern Victoria Nationals MP Melina Bath.

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said the report “shows that under Labor, Victoria’s school curriculum is overcrowded and not being taught in a consistent or best-practice manner.

“Furthermore, measures to address the teacher shortages across the state are proving ineffective and failing to address the fundamental causes of the crisis,” she said.

“Educational outcomes will continue to deteriorate as long as the significant failings within Victoria’s education system go unaddressed by the Allan Labor government,”

The government has been contacted for comment.