Victoria's plan to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes

On 14 July 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reaffirmed its commitment to the National Reform Agenda. COAG also agreed that literacy and numeracy should be one of the initial priority human capital reform areas.

Literacy and numeracy skills provide the foundation for lifelong learning, rewarding and satisfying work, and a fulfilling personal life. Without these skills, young people will struggle to realise their full potential and Victoria will miss out on the substantial social and economic benefits generated from an educated, productive and engaged population.

On 13 April 2007, Victoria released its literacy and numeracy plan, which sets out a ten year vision for the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to work together to:

• value good teaching and make sure we have the best teachers possible in all our schools;
• build a culture of improvement in our schools; and
• direct our resources to where they can most make a difference.

The most efficient way to ensure these initiatives are co-ordinated across levels of government is to create an integrated approach to government investment. The Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance estimates that the reform set out in the plan could lead to future fiscal benefits to governments of around $1 billion per annum– the majority of which would flow to the Commonwealth.

Since COAG agreed on the National Reform Agenda in February 2006, Victoria has committed $323.8 million in new funds over four years to boost literacy and numeracy. At the July 2006 COAG meeting the Commonwealth confirmed it agreed to a fair sharing of costs and benefits of reform. To ensure this, the Commonwealth would need to contribute $600 million over the first four years towards this plan, some of this in areas within their direct responsibility.

All governments need to work together to help our children achieve the best possible literacy and numeracy outcomes. This plan was lodged with COAG prior to its meeting in April 2007. It is based on the consultation draft released in February 2007.

National Reform Agenda: Victoria's plan to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes - April 2007 (PDF 591kb)

Also released in April 2007 were Victoria's plan to address the growing impact of obesity and type 2 diabetes and Victoria's plan to improve outcomes in early childhood, which set out Victoria’s responses to COAG’s two other human capital reform priority areas.

If you would like copies of these papers in alternative formats, please contact +61 3 9651 5094.

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