FAQs

The world is changing and what led to success for people in the past will likely not be sufficient for success in the future.

Technology has transformed the workforce. Routine work, work with a large portion of repeated tasks, is being replaced by automated computer processes and artificial intelligence.

While knowledge acquisition and achieving growth for every student will continue to be key to public education, our young people need to develop the skills to use and complement technology, so they are first-class humans, not second-class robots.

We need to adapt our public education to meet this change. We need to be clear about what we’re trying to provide for our students so we can measure whether we’re achieving it.

We want to build upon statements like The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, and the Statement on Public Education in South Australia (saspa.com.au).

We need to tailor our purpose to the uniqueness of South Australia. South Australians are spread out across a tract of land like no other part of Australia. We are slightly older, have a different mix of cultural backgrounds, and have different jobs, income levels and education compared to other states.

We have different industries, too. South Australia is globally recognised for food and wine, natural and renewable energy resources, defence, space, health and medical industries, high tech and creative industries, and world-class higher education institutions.

But this is just a snapshot in time. The future of our people, industry and society will be determined by how we educate our children.

Below is a summary of some of the thoughts of prominent education experts and researchers from around the world. They are provided as a guide to assist in informing your responses in a written submission. However, you are encouraged to investigate the issues and consider the research yourself. Here are some links to organisations that undertake research into education:

OECD’s education work

Education Endowment Foundation

Harvard Centre on the Developing Child

Public education contributes to South Australia by providing students with foundational skills to begin their future careers and go on to shape the future of industry in this state.

Technology has transformed the workforce. Routine work, work with a large portion of repeated tasks, is being replaced by automated computer processes. One in three jobs in Australia are at risk of being automated, with work automation expected to speed up due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, professions requiring interpersonal skills, like aged and disability care, and those with a high level of technology skills, like systems administration and ICT security specialists, are growing and projected to grow.

While knowledge acquisition and achieving growth for every student will continue to be key to public education, our young people need to develop the skills to use and complement technology, so they are first-class humans, not second-class robots.

We want our students to achieve and become great learners, a skill they can carry through their lives.

Capabilities such as literacy, numeracy and digital skills will continue to be key and support students develop knowledge and capabilities to learn, innovate, problem solve, work collaboratively and creatively, and foresee and adapt to emerging issues.

Research suggests learning and achievement do not stand apart from other aspects of the student experience. Elements such as wellbeing (for students and staff), building strong relationships and sense of belonging, how empowered students feel to make decisions (student agency) and how we integrate support systems combine to determine how each of our students does at school.

Education enriches students’ lives, helps them reach their potential, and supports them to develop wellbeing. Skills to maintain positive wellbeing, like resilience and a sense of self, are critical to students’ performance at school and beyond.

Education also contributes to the development of tomorrow’s citizens and their ability to fully participate in their communities. The skills students develop through their education to connect with each other and their communities contribute to the quality of life they will have as adults.

In the words of international education advisor Sir Ken Robinson, ‘The aim of education is to enable students to understand the world around them and the talents within them so that they can become fulfilled individuals and active, compassionate citizens.’