The pandemic and educational inequality in Australia: Timely opportunity to reform education

Abstract

School closures in Australia not only exposed the persistence of educational inequality, but exacerbated it through remote learning, which relied on family support and material and technological resources available in the home and at the school. The abrupt and unprepared shift in delivery mode differentially disrupted and interrupted student learning. The heightened public awareness of the damaging effect of educational inequality provides an historic opportunity to reform education by: linking schools, parents and communities ensuring inclusive provision for all students; investing in equitable and accessible digital learning; and advocating for resourcing to meet the needs of all students and schools.