The SSTUWA, over a year ago, made the decision to commission a review into public education in Western Australia.
The report of this review, Facing the Facts – a review into public education in Western Australia, was formally launched and presented to the Minister for Education on Monday 6 November.
SSTUWA members can find the full review as well as a summary of the key findings and recommendations below as well as a podcast with panel chair Dr Carmen Lawrence and panel member Mr Colin Pettit explaining the review process and findings.
Facing the Facts - Final Report
Facing the Facts - Summary document
Review into public education finds teaching profession at breaking point
A review into public education in WA headed by Dr Carmen Lawrence has found the teaching profession is at breaking point, with many teachers planning to leave the sector.
read moreListen to the podcast
Hear from Dr Carmen Lawrence and Dr Colin Pettit about Facing the Facts: A Review of Public Education in Western Australia. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The podcast is also available in a three part series, via your favourite podcast platform.
Watch the launch
The report was formally launched and presented to the Minister for Education on 6 November 2023. Watch the launch here.
Thank you
Thank you to all members, non-members and organisations for their submissions to the review. Your time and contributions were essential in the review process.
Thank you also to the expert panel - Dr Carmen Lawrence, Dr Scott Fitzgerald of Curtin University, Colin Pettit, former Commissioner for Children and Young People and Dr Robyn White, former principal of Perth Modern School and Pamela Pollard, former principal of Victoria Park Primary School, executive officer to the panel.
Submission process
Submissions have now closed. Thank you to all members, non-members and organisations who have contributed their viewpoints.
Consultation sessions
Twenty-two consultation sessions were held at locations across Western Australia as well as two virtual sessions. We thank all members and stakeholders who attended for their valuable feedback.
The review’s terms of reference
1. What is the state of public education in WA currently?
Focus issues:
a. How have state government policies regarding the structure of public education since 2010 affected the operation of government schools in WA?
b. How have curriculum content, pedagogical expectations and reporting and accountability processes changed during this time?
c. What changes have occurred to the community expectations of our school leaders and teachers?
d. What has been the impact of COVID-19?
2. What has been the effect of these changes on school leaders and teachers in WA?
For example:
a. Attraction and retention challenges:
· The recruitment of new teachers to the profession.
· Appropriate career opportunities.
· The development and selection of school leaders.
· Principal and teacher morale and well-being.
· The changes to teacher and principal workloads.
b. Respect for teacher professionalism:
· The effect of current accountability mechanisms.
· The ability to apply professional judgement.
· The commercialisation of curriculum products.
· The impact of technology.
c. The impact on schools’/teachers’ capacity to deliver:
· The core curriculum; and
· An equitable education provision across diverse student populations and regions.
3. How do we best respond to the needs of teachers and school leaders in addressing these issues?
