TERTIARY ENTRANCE RANKING

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Education. Does the government stick by its 2003 commitment in its State Strategic Plan to increase by 15 per cent (to 45 per cent) the proportion of students receiving a tertiary entrance rank (TER), or equivalent, with at least one of the following subjects: mathematics, physics or chemistry? According to the government's own Strategic Plan, 44 per cent of students were achieving such in the year 2000, and the latest figures show only 37 per cent achieving this in 2008. The progress rating is described as negative movement, with an achievement rating as unlikely, reporting a 16 per cent drop since 2000 when the Liberals were in government.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:09): Of course, this is the opposition that presided over the greatest fall in year 12 attainment that you could probably imagine, and it has taken us eight years to claw back—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the question was about TER passes in maths, physics and chemistry, not about what the minister is speaking about, sir. I ask that you direct her to answer the question.

The SPEAKER: Yes, the minister does need to answer the substance of the question.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I was beginning to explain the issue around what a percentage means and how it reflects the number of total cases being used. Since their time in government, of course, we have increased by about 12 per cent the school retention rates up to their highest level, a bigger number. Almost 80 per cent of year 8 students are now reaching year 12. So, clearly, the percentage is a reflection of the—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the minister does not understand the question. My question is about percentage. The minister's percentage—

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The minister has the call.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I do not wish to reflect on the member's understanding of mathematics, but it is relevant that one looks at the overall numbers who are now completing year 12.

Members interjecting:

Mr PISONI: Standing order 127, thank you.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The Minister for Education.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: I think it is really significant that we have the highest school retention rates in around 13 years. It is also important is that we have been the government that has recognised the need to invest in science and maths. We recognise that by having a larger number of students completing year 12—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: —there will be alterations in the overall percentage of completion of certain subjects. We understand that. It is one of the fundamentals of statistics, but I do not have time to explain that to the member opposite. What I will say is that we have invested significantly in science, whether it is the Royal Institution or the Bragg initiative, and we are the first state in Australia to compulsorily have science and maths in the school week within our schools. We are the only state in Australia that will compel junior primary students to have 1½ hours of science per week and upper primary students two hours of science per week.

We are underpinning that with amazing quantities of staff development, professional training and input into our teachers, because we know they are our greatest asset. We have invested significantly in science and education within our schools, and I am optimistic that, even allowing for the fact that we have the highest school retention rates for nearly 13 years, we will still achieve those targets in the long run.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Does the member for Unley want the call to ask a question? I am happy to give him the call. He does not need to shout out.

Mr Pisoni: She doesn't answer anyway, sir.