Leah Blyth (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Stronger Families and Stronger Communities) Share this | Hansard source

The recent release of the NAPLAN results highlights the continuing trend of mediocrity and declining standards in our education system. The latest results reveal that one in three students, or more than 1.5 million Australian students, are struggling to read, write and do maths. Across the country, students are continuing to underperform, with average results going backwards in many key categories. An acceptance of these declining standards doesn't just stop with our education system; it extends to all facets of life.

This is evident in my home state of South Australia, with recent revelations that the South Australian police have abolished literacy and numeracy testing for police academy applicants. This also extends to allowing failed applicants to reapply, not because the standards were too high but because so many applicants were failing. Now, this is not a policing issue. It's an education issue, and it's a troubling one at that. Lowering the bar may get more recruits through the door, but it signals a retreat into mediocrity. We are not tackling the root problem and we are adjusting our expectations to accommodate failure.

These NAPLAN results continue to highlight a worrying trend of mediocrity in our education system. Basic literacy and numeracy are not optional. They are essential. If we abandon these standards we compromise both safety and justice, particularly in our police force. We owe it to the next generation to demand better from our education system. Anything less is a disservice to our young people, to our institutions and to the communities that they will one day serve.