The Victorian Government has announced a significant shift in its educational approach by embedding systematic synthetic phonics as a core component of early literacy instruction in all government schools starting in 2025. This initiative will ensure that students from Prep to Grade 2 receive a minimum of 25 minutes of explicit phonics instruction daily as part of a comprehensive reading program that also includes oral language, vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension (Premier of Victoria) (Department of Education).
This reform follows strong evidence from both local and international research indicating that explicit phonics instruction is the most effective method for teaching children to read, particularly benefiting those who may struggle with literacy. Studies from the Australian Education Research Organisation, the Grattan Institute, and similar research bodies in the United States and the United Kingdom support this approach (Premier of Victoria).
The new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model aims to reduce teacher workload by providing high-quality, practical lesson plans and resources, initially focusing on English and Mathematics, and later expanding to Science and Digital Technologies. This initiative is part of Victoria’s broader strategy to maintain its leading position in educational outcomes across Australia (Premier of Victoria) (Department of Education).
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