The Liberals owe it to Tasmanians to come clean about where they stand on Labor’s calls for an independent education inquiry.

Analysis of participation levels in pre-tertiary level STEM subjects show that Tasmania’s education woes don’t stop at the alarming participation and completion figures revealed in yesterday’s Report on Government Services.

Across Tasmania participation in the highly valued STEM subjects have also been in decline, with student enrolments falling significantly since 2018. 

Last year in Tasmania only 179 students in year 12 studied specialist mathematics, only 299 studied physics and 456 studied chemistry.

In 2018, the same courses had 231, 349 and 623 students respectively.

These numbers are further evidence that we need to identify and focus on what we can do differently to better support children to learn, so they can go on to get safe, secure and well-paid jobs which set them up for the future.

A strong STEM sector is critical if Tasmania is going to capitalise on opportunities to grow our economy and create new jobs.

The Liberals need to show their hand. Do they support an education inquiry to better prepare our students for the future, or not?

Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education