Tuesday 28 April, 2020
Five independent research reports commissioned to examine the impact of remote learning have found that Labor’s learning from home plan is piling pressure on families and damaging our kids’ education.
The latest report, by the Peter Underwood Centre, found that nearly half (46%) of students are at risk of suffering adverse educational, nutritional, health, social and emotional outcomes if they are kept away from school.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the Premier should now admit she got it wrong and that Labor has created a two-tier education system of haves and have-nots.
“The overwhelming evidence is that our schools should be open for everyone and that parents should have the right to choose how their kids learn,” Ms Frecklington said.
“These reports show a digital divide among students, particularly for those in regional and remote parts of Queensland where connectivity is an issue.
“Opening schools is the first real step to re-starting the economy and protecting jobs.
“Access to a world-class education should be the standard and the best place for that is in the classroom.
“The advice from health experts and education experts is clear, it’s time for the Premier to do the right thing and open our schools for everyone.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Education Jarrod Bleijie said that schools should be open for everyone, not different grades on different days.
“Our kids’ education should be the priority for Annastacia Palaszczuk, not her union bosses,” Mr Bleijie said.
“It’s time for the Premier to start listening and stop the second-rate education system.
“Labor’s home-school plan isn’t working and it’s unfair on kids, parents and teachers.
“Labor should be focused on getting everyone back to school and there is no reason that can’t start right now.
“Queensland’s NAPLAN results were already behind other states before coronavirus and the actions of the Palaszczuk Labor Government are putting our kids even further behind.”
Links to independent reports:
Peter Underwood Centre, University of Tasmania
Australian Council for Educational Research
Centre for Program Evaluation, Melbourne Graduate School of Education
https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/clinton_-_supporting_vulnerable_children_.pdf
Centre for International Research on Education Systems
https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/lamb_-_impact_of_learning_from_home.pdf
National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education
https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/literature_review-learning_at_home_-_covid19_0.pdf
