2024 civics test results show the lowest scores since testing began. Only 28% of Year 10 students and 43% of Year 6 students showed a good understanding of civics. Experts warn students don't understand key ideas about Australian democracy. This could make them easy to mislead when they become voters.
The results show ongoing problems in Australian education. Indigenous, regional students and low income students had some of the lowest scores.
Trisha Jha from the Centre of Independent Studies said this was a cause for alarm. "Those results are...shocking. If students don't understand [false] claims... they will struggle...around voting," Ms Jha said. Ms Jha said civics and citizenship... received little classroom time with huge variations on how its taught across states." She wants the national curriculum updated right now. It isn't due for an overhaul until 2027.
The Federal Education Minister is Jason Clare. He said more young people need to know how democracy works. "I've boosted funding for school students to get out of the classroom. [To] visit Parliament House and the War Memorial. [To] understand what generations of Australians have fought and died for" he said.
Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson said this was not good enough. "The [answer can't be]...he wants more students to visit Canberra."