Electoral Matters Committee wants to hear from Australians about civics education in schools!

THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is seeking direct feedback from students and schools about civics and citizenship education.

The committee has released a survey on civics and citizenship education in Australian schools as part of its current inquiry. If you are a primary or secondary school student, a recent school leaver or an educator, the committee wants to hear from you. Here is the survey link:

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters - Civics education survey (surveymonkey.com)

Committee Chair, Kate Thwaites MP, said "The committee is keen to get the perspectives of school students and educators on the way civics is taught in Australian schools. This survey will help the committee understand how students and educators feel about civics and citizenship education, how civics and citizenship are taught in Australian schools, and how students and educators engage with social and political issues.

"It is concerning that many young Australians don’t have the grounding in civics to set them up to be confident participants in our democracy.

"Data from the National Assessment Program–Civics and Citizenship shows that in 2019 just 38 percent of Year 10 students and 53 percent of Year 6 students achieved the ‘proficient’ standard.

"The committee is investigating how civics forms part of the Australian curriculum, examining the importance of media literacy, and listening to the voices of young people about how best to improve civics education," Ms Thwaites said.

"The committee will engage with young people, along with people in remote communities, new migrants and culturally and linguistically diverse Australians, to ensure that everyone in Australia is able to participate fully in our democratic system."

Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry website.

 

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