More than 57,000 students have returned to Tasmanian public school classrooms today, including 4,000 kindergarteners starting school for the first time.
Education Minister Jo Palmer launched new “classroom ready” literacy resources at West Launceston Primary School, where 350 students began the 2026 school year.
“We’re really excited about these new resources that are going into every primary school right across Tasmania,” Ms Palmer said.
The literacy boards and tiles will be distributed to every child in prep to grade two classes statewide as part of the government’s push to lift literacy rates.
Palmer said the resources would support explicit and structured teaching while reducing teacher workload.
“It makes a huge difference to teacher workload when you can actually have these quality resources ready to go in the hands of every child,” she said.
The government invested $12.5 million into lifting literacy last year. Numeracy resources will be rolled out throughout 2026.
West Launceston Primary School principal Andrea Tiffin said teachers were “excited” and had worked hard to prepare classrooms for students.
“We’re keen to see what that work shows at the end of the year in terms of student growth and learning,” Tiffin said.
The minister also addressed school attendance, which sat at around 85% mid-last year.
“Every school day really does matter in the life of a child,” Palmer said.
“Every day that they’re here is another opportunity to learn more, to grow more and to take on some of the great opportunities that they can have while they’re attending school.”
The ‘Every School Day Matters’ campaign aims to encourage both students and families to prioritise attendance.
Tasmanians are reminded that 40 km/h speed limits are now back in effect in school zones.
