Thursday, 18 June 2026

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (03:56): (2615) This week I had a wonderful year 10 student doing work experience with my office. His name is Mason Vidot, and he has got an incredible interest in politics. As somebody who is currently experiencing our education system firsthand, I asked him to share his perspective, and here it is:

As a student currently in high school, I spend my whole week learning subjects that are supposed to prepare me for my future. While we do learn important things for some situations, I don’t often feel that I’m using what I’m learning in real life. I and many other classmates often ask the same question: how is this going to prepare us for life? Most subjects revisit the same content every year. I believe this is why many students are becoming disengaged in school and misbehave. I have become disengaged in school myself because relearning the same thing becomes boring. As students we often discuss the feeling that school can become pointless. I’ve noticed that all students are behaved better and more engaged when they’re learning about subjects that interest them or apply to their future.

The main subjects in school that repeat topics are math and English. I use what I learn in English every day. However, math and science seem less relevant unless you’re pursuing a career in that field. I think humanities would be great if we would learn politics, how voting works and Australian history. Many students leave school without knowing how taxes work, how to manage bills, how to rent a property, how to apply for a loan or even how to create a realistic budget. These are things that every Australian adult deals with every day, yet there is no attention paid to it in the classrooms.

I think schools could do more to help students understand their future career options. It would be valuable to learn about different pathways, what jobs involve, what qualifications are needed and how to get there. It would help many young people pursue a career that they love. Understanding these opportunities could help students make better decisions about their future. When students cannot see how their education connects to their future, they can become less motivated and less engaged.

Communication is also a skill that deserves greater attention. No matter what job you pursue, being able to communicate professionally and confidently is essential. It can affect your job opportunities, workplace success and everyday life. We are constantly being told that we are the future. Well, when will we learn the skills we need to thrive outside of school?

I thought that was a fantastic perspective. My adjournment is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for him to meet with Mason and his fellow students to discuss how the education system can support young people better.