Results are in for student numbers in Tasmania’s new Post Year 10 education system, and figures show a positive start. The most positive sign was an indication of increased retention rates amongst young students.
Overall numbers of traditional Year 11 and 12 students are encouragingly up across all regions; with the biggest increases occurring at the Hellyer Campus in the North West and the Hobart Campus in the South.
Student numbers have increased 12 per cent across previous college Polytechnic and Academy campuses state-wide, from 3,470 in 2008 to 3,888 in 2009. And the post-Easter attrition rate of 0.5 per cent across all campuses is very low compared to previous years.
Such a low rate compared to previous years indicates the new system is working; student engagement and retention rates are up.
At present, the split of students between the Tasmanian Academy and the Tasmanian Polytechnic in the traditional Year 11/12 cohort is approximately 57 per cent to 43 per cent.
Enrolment data also indicates that the new system is supporting an increased number of students through flexible learning with an additional 120 enrolments this year.
This is particularly encouraging given one of our main aims is to increase both Academy and Polytechnic education outcomes in rural and isolated areas; and also facilitate learning for those who can not make it to a campus.
More students are able to engage with education through our flexible and tailored learning systems. Figures are also strong amongst the Polytechnic’s mature-aged students – which make up around 80 per cent of all Polytechnic students.
As at the end of April, the Polytechnic has enrolled 68 per cent of its target for 2009; which is up from TAFE Tasmania’s figure of 57 per cent at the same time last year.
At the end of April 2009 the number of students in the Polytechnic and Academy state-wide stands as follows:
The Tasmanian Academy: 1,925 students.
The Tasmanian Polytechnic: 9,392 students (7,919 from previous TAFE campuses; and 1,473 from previous college campuses).
International student numbers total 96, and students engaged in flexible learning total 394.
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