The number of Victorian students taking up languages has fallen to new lows, according to figures from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD).
The DEECD reports the number of primary school students receiving lessons in a language other than English has fallen from 204,693 in 2010 to 174,693 in 2012 – dropping by almost 30,000 students.
About 55 per cent of primary school students are currently taught another language, while more than 9,000 high school students have dropped language classes over the last five years.
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education Colin Brooks says the drop is thanks to education funding cuts from the Liberal Government.
“The Napthine Government should strengthen language programs in schools instead of cutting them,” Mr Brooks said.
“Access and opportunity to learn a language should be open to every student across the state.”
The Liberals have until June 30 to sign the ‘National Plan for School Improvement” program, based on the Gonski Review.
As part of an election promise, the Liberals and Nationals pledged to “close the language gap” and “revolutionise language education in Victoria”.