There's a lot more to a school's success than tertiary entrance rates

Government-school students are employed at more than three times the rate of some other sectors. They also take up apprenticeships and traineeships at more than three times the rate.

These are equally as valid measures of comparison between differing school sectors that also reflects the hard work, dedication and passion of students and their teachers. These are measures that don’t make it to the headlines.

It is easy to forget that behind the lines of information published about schools are the individual stories of thousands of school students, their dreams challenges and successes.

A student at risk of dropping out of the system in Year Nine, who is encouraged to stay on and continue their education until Year 12 and then a full-time job is just as much a success story for the school system as the student who gains top marks in the VCE. And if our schooling system is to provide the best possible opportunity for every student in its charge then publicising and celebrating all forms of success is critical for governments, schools and the public alike. 

There is a lot about our public education system to be proud of. Retention rates continue to increase to the point where Victoria has the highest success rate of any Australian state or territory.

Employing more teachers has lowered class sizes to a 30-year low in primary schools and a ten-year low in the secondary system. Literacy and numeracy skills are improving in the vital early years of education. Almost a billion dollars has been invested in new schools and updated buildings.

In Victoria, the large majority of people continues to be educated in our government schools.

The commitment and effort we put into education is one of the most fundamental and important investments towards securing the future wellbeing of Victoria. It underpins the development of a highly skilled, innovative workforce as a critical enabling factor for social, cultural and economic growth.

And it is a key to personal development and to a wide array of life opportunities. A good education system opens doors to opportunity and makes a difference for all students.

We must celebrate all of those success stories, not just those nominated by the narrowest of possible definitions.