Federal Government Plans New Education Commission Amid Rising Dropout Rates
Dropout rates are climbing, test scores are slipping, and the gap between wealthy and disadvantaged students is widening. In response, Education Minister Jason Clare is pushing for the creation of a new federal “Teaching and Learning Commission,” a move that would mark a significant expansion of Canberra’s role in state-run education.
Clare argues the commission is necessary to address the challenges facing public schools, particularly the growing number of teenagers leaving before completing their studies. The proposed body would oversee reforms, monitor progress, and ensure accountability—especially in the wake of a $16 billion funding deal recently struck with the states. The minister says the commission’s core task will be making sure this money delivers real improvements rather than being wasted in bureaucratic churn. For Clare, the stakes are clear: without stronger federal leadership, too many students—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds—risk being left behind.
Dropout Surge Sparks ‘Code Red’ Warning for Australia’s Public Schools. Australia’s public education sector is under mounting pressure, with experts warning of a “code red” crisis as student completion rates decline, test results fall, and inequality between wealthy and disadvantaged students widens.
Speaking at Curtin University on Tuesday, Education Minister Jason Clare stressed the urgent need for sweeping reforms, calling the proposed overhaul “the big one.”
“In Catholic and independent schools, completion rates remain high and are steady or improving. The real challenge lies in public schools, where much of the heavy lifting is done,” Clare said.
He highlighted a significant drop in completion rates across public schools, falling from around 83 per cent a decade ago to as low as 73 per cent today. The concerns follow fresh NAPLAN findings showing that one in three students are not achieving the minimum benchmarks in literacy and numeracy. Glenn Fahey, an education analyst at the Centre for Independent Studies, said the results highlight a broader problem, with Australia underperforming in both domestic and international assessments.
