Education Reforms in Australia

Question: Discuss about the Education Reforms in Australia. Answer: It is worth noting that Australians value education and understand its usefulness to the nations social and economic success. Despite this recognition, international experience shows that the country is at risk lagging behind its peers if the country does not inculcate more effective programs that result in better education outcomes. According to analysis, the genesis of the problem is not the value of the ideas, but instead the gap between resources and capabilities necessary to carry out the change in the education industry. With this view in mind, the article Quality teaching must be the focus of school reform published in the Australian highlights the fact that quality teaching is the first step to achieving reforms in education and scaling the system to greater heights. In this article, the author elucidates that the educational quality is an imperative factor that either makes or breaks a students success at school. Likewise, the Australian council Educational Research report indicates that students learning is inhibited by teachers failing to meet the individual needs of its students. Further, the article reports that teacher absenteeism, resistance to change and being unprepared for classes act as significant impediments to learning. Unfortunately, these are some of the major factors that characterize the current education system in the country. Discussion For years, Australia ranked among the top in the world student achievement in schools league tables. However, this element has declined over the years following a continued slip in the education sector. The ministry has tried various experiments in restructuring schools. However, these efforts have since been rendered ineffective in improving the current state. Regardless, literature indicates that teacher quality is a great determinant of students performance all over the world. Therefore, education reforms within a nation should focus on improving the quality of teaching within the nation before instigating other reforms. Essentially, there are five key steps in implementing reforms in the Australian school system. The first step pertains to identifying the type of reforms that are required within the education system (PWC, n.d.). What follows is the conducting of a student-centric approach to reform using standards and building aspiration. Afterward, the ministry gets help from people with professional expertise in reform. The fourth step involves setting up a plan to realize the ideas on potential improvements (PWC, n.d.). Lastly, the ministry used technology and available data to make more informed choices on what reforms will have the most impact on the current education system. There is a significant correlation between teacher quality and student performance. Imperatively, promoting teacher quality is a fundamental element in enhancing primary and secondary education within the country (Hamid et al., 2012). More specifically, good teachers do not only demonstrate proficiency in their subject area but also nurture their students by displaying optimism, friendliness and creating a conducive environment for learning (Darling-Harmond, 2010). In turn, this guarantees the quality of teaching by enhancing the students class experience and improving their overall performance. Additionally, it is also important for the teachers to possess academic qualifications and professional expertise in the subject that they teach. Unfortunately, a report by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute highlights the fact that approximately one-third of mathematics classes between years 7 to 10 are taught by teachers who lack proper math qualifications (The Australian, 2017). For this reason, the teacher quality is compromised since they lack adequate knowledge of the subject matter that they try to pass to their students (Hattie, 2011). It is also saddening that despite the teacher shortages in key subjects such as science and mathematics in the schools in Australia, a significant proportion of primary teaching graduates are unable to find employment every year (Karp, 2016). Thus, the government should step up and encourage the incorporation of graduate trainees into the payroll system to maximize their potential in achieving high-quality performance among students . From the article, it is commendable that the education minister alongside other ministers are ready to address and instigate entry standards and quality assurance of teacher education courses in the country. The proposed evaluation of literary and numeracy skills of new teachers may also come in handy (The Australian, 2017). Often, individuals enroll for education diploma and degree courses following poor performance as relates to the admission ranks of most university programs. For this reason, most teachers become teachers due to the lack of better alternative and missing out on their preferred courses. Consequently, this results in little motivation to improve their quality as teachers, thereby inhibiting not only their performance but also that of their students. It is, however, worth noting that the education ministry of Australia is working towards reforms to correct this issue. More precisely, these weaknesses in the system are being remedied to ensure that individuals do not become teachers due to lack of other alternatives, but on merit with proper numeracy and literacy skills (Australian Government, 2017). Despite this, it is imperative to note that reforms take several years to materialize and be effective (The Australian, 2017). Yet, currently, the Australian economy, quality of life, and the job market demand a more effective school system. In this regard, the government through the ministry of education should instigate creative means to improve teacher quality and enhance student performance (Reforms, 2014). It is through such reforms that the education sector, society and the economy at large will realize the full potential of the nations academic system. Conclusion Education is an essential element in every society. Factually, it is the cornerstone of every social and economic unit in the world. For years, the countrys education system was ranked among the top achievers according to international standards. However, the past few decades have seen the education sector dwindle and reduce in terms of students performance. Hence, reforms are imperative in the education industry. According to the article, teaching quality is a sure way of improving student performance. for this reason, the Australian government should ensure that it employs qualified teachers with requisite training in their subject area to not only improve the quality of teaching but also to enhance the student experience and offer an efficient learning environment. References Curriculum reform in Australia. International Education News. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://internationalednews.com/2014/12/04/curriculum-reform-in-australia/ Darling-Hammond, L. (2010). Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness. Center for American Progress. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://www.highered.nysed.gov/TELDH.pdf Education improvement in Australia. PWC. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://www.pwc.com.au/education/education-reform.html/ Hamid. A., Hassan, S., Ismail. H. (2012 Teaching Quality and Performance Among Experienced Teachers in Malaysia. Australian Journal of Teacher Education 3711), pp. 1-20. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ999392.pdf Hattie, J. (2011). Challenge of focusing education reform. The Australian. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business/rethinking-education-the-challenge-of-focusing-reform/news-story/320a7a0664bad45f074f3d6eb320e059 Karp, P. (2016). Pisa results: Australian students' science, maths and reading in long-term decline. The Guardian. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/dec/06/pisa-results-australian-students-science-maths-and-reading-in-long-term-decline Quality teaching must be the focus of school reform. (2017). The Australian. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/quality-teaching-must-be-the-focus-of-school-reform/news-story/b068e3d469cd0494304bdc2d80c0d97b. Upholding Quality - Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Australian Government. Retrieved on 18 Apr. 2017, from: https://www.education.gov.au/upholding-quality-quality-indicators-learning-and-teaching