The OECD is calling for a one-year extension of kindergarten to combat disadvantage in education.
Australian children over 1 year old early childhood education According to the OECD, this is to prevent further entrenchment of disadvantages at an early age.
The Paris-based group put forward this idea in a new report that reveals the challenges facing the country’s education system.
Australia still stacks well by international standards, but reports show continued declines in performance in reading, math and science.
The proportion of “underperforming” students has also increased in each of these three subjects.
Another worrying trend is equities.
According to the report, Australia’s early childhood education share (82%) for 3-5 year olds is lower than the OECD average, revealing a ‘participation gap’ among disadvantaged and Indigenous children.
It recommended expanding universal preschools, known as kindergartens in Washington state, beyond the one year offered to children across Australia.
The report points to research showing that children who spent two years in early childhood education fared better in reading than those who did not.
“The foundations of a strong ECEC (early childhood education and care) system exist in Australia, but need to be expanded so that those more in need can benefit from it,” said a report published Tuesday. says.
“Access to quality ECEC provides a foundation for students to prevent disadvantage as they move through educational pathways.”
In another finding, the report blames COVID-related disruptions and “climate-related shocks” on contributing to a “declining interest” in high school education.
The 67-page report also presents options to help address the issue. A teacher labor shortage that is crumbling school systems across the country.
We suggest modifying the workload to prevent staff burnout and focus on quality of education.
Australia faces a shortage of 4,100 high school teachers by 2025 due to a massive staff exodus and fewer school graduates entering the workforce.
Reports show that teachers work longer hours and are paid slightly less than other similarly educated professionals.
The broad findings of the OECD study will give the Albanian government a boost in its attempts to reform the education sector and tackle the problem. teacher shortage crisis.
“This report confirms the equity issues and teacher workforce challenges we face, especially in early childhood education and school classrooms,” said Federal Education Secretary Jason Clare. .
“This report shows that we have an excellent education system by international standards, but we know it should be better and fairer.”
Clare hopes to use upcoming national school agreements with states and territories to link education funding to reforms that will make a “real and practical difference.”
“If you’re a child from today’s poor family or bush or an Indigenous child, you’re three times more likely to fall behind in school.
“We have to turn this around.”
https://thewest.com.au/news/education/oecd-calls-for-an-extra-year-of-kindergarten-to-combat-disadvantages-in-education–c-10303925 The OECD is calling for a one-year extension of kindergarten to combat disadvantage in education.
