‘Outdated and irrelevant’: what do young Australians think of their schooling?

Abstract

Australia’s school system – and whether it is doing its job – is often under the microscope from politicians, experts and parents. The most recent NAPLAN results in 2024 triggered a wave of heated discussions after about one in three students were not meeting literacy and numeracy benchmarks. Education Minister Jason Clare is among those who also have serious concerns about rates of students who complete Year 12. In 2024, the retention rate of students between Year 7 and Year 12 was 79.9%. For government school students, it was 74%. But what do students themselves think about their schooling? Our new study asked recent school leavers about their experiences. Read the full original articl..