Poor hit hardest by teaching failures in Victoria: Auditor-General

THE teaching of science and mathematics in Victoria is facing a crisis, failing to achieve basic benchmarks, says the state's Auditor-General.

THE teaching of science and mathematics in Victoria is facing a crisis, with lower socio-economic groups hit hardest by a failure to achieve basic benchmarks, according to the state's Auditor-General.

An inquiry into participation rates and steps to improve maths and science teaching has found that the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has failed to lift participation and performance.

The report warns there are too few high-achieving students and in the middle years of schooling there is a “persistent and significant drop-off in achievement”.

“Low levels of achievement and student disengagement during the middle years are likely to deter and even preclude students from studying the enabling sciences at senior levels and ultimately pursuing a science or mathematics-related career,” it says.

The report says rural and regional students from poorer schools suffer most, having less access to the best quality teachers.

The Auditor-General says the department lacks essential data on the issue, has failed to develop a robust workforce strategy, and its recruitment and professional learning initiatives had little or no impact on the quality of teaching and learning.

“This seriously compromises the future supply of science and mathematics skills and knowledge in the community,” the report argues.

“Many schools, particularly in regional and disadvantaged metropolitan areas, experience difficulty in employing suitably qualified science and mathematics teachers.”