New data from the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) has revealed a troubling trend in Australian schools, with one in three students failing to meet minimum benchmarks in core subjects. The results highlight a growing divide, as disadvantaged students continue to fall further behind their peers.
Key Findings from the 2025 NAPLAN Report
The latest NAPLAN results show that 33% of students across Australia did not achieve the expected standard in reading, writing, or mathematics. This marks a slight decline compared to previous years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current educational strategies.
Disadvantaged Students Bear the Brunt
Worryingly, the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students has widened. Children from low-income families, remote areas, and Indigenous backgrounds were significantly more likely to score below the national minimum standard.
State-by-State Performance
While all states and territories saw some decline, the results varied significantly:
- New South Wales and Victoria maintained slightly above-average performance
- Queensland and Western Australia showed marginal improvement in numeracy
- Northern Territory continues to struggle with the lowest scores nationwide
Experts Call for Urgent Action
Education specialists have expressed alarm at these findings, warning that without immediate intervention, Australia risks creating a permanent underclass of undereducated citizens. Proposed solutions include:
- Increased funding for disadvantaged schools
- Targeted literacy programs in early years
- Better support for remote area teachers
- More personalised learning approaches
The federal education minister has promised a comprehensive review of the results, with policy adjustments expected before the next school year.
