The NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has revealed substantial disparities in education access and outcomes between rural and metropolitan students.

The auditor’s report examined the effectiveness of the Rural and Remote Education Strategy (2021-24) put forth by the NSW Department of Education, which aimed to bridge the gap in educational opportunities for rural and remote students.

The report sheds light on persistent challenges faced by students in remote and rural areas compared to their urban counterparts. 

Despite the ambitious goals set by the strategy, the report indicates that substantial gaps in access and outcomes remain unresolved a decade after the previous initiative.

Key deficiencies in the strategy's implementation were noted. 

The absence of crucial elements such as a dedicated team, well-defined performance measures, and effective governance structures hindered the successful execution of the 2021 strategy. 

Furthermore, the report highlighted a lack of clarity in the strategy's timeline for achieving its objectives.

Auditor-General Crawford said there is a strong need for a comprehensive long-term strategy that addresses the complexities of providing quality education in regional, rural, and remote areas. 

She criticised the NSW Department of Education's failure to learn from previous strategies and to allocate sufficient resources to meet the desired outcomes.

Staff shortages emerged as another critical issue compromising education quality in rural communities. 

The report underscored the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified staff, resulting in teachers having to teach subjects outside their expertise and limited opportunities for professional development.

The report also pointed out that despite existing programs designed to address regional challenges, their effectiveness had not been evaluated. 

The Department of Education was found to lack data monitoring efforts that could determine the adequacy of these programs in narrowing the access and outcome gaps for rural and remote students.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car acknowledged the shortcomings of the former government's strategy and expressed her commitment to immediate changes. 

Car said qualified teachers are needed in classrooms and announced plans for enhanced accountability, with strategy responsibilities assigned to deputy education secretaries.

Former Education Minister Sarah Mitchell defended the strategy's ambition but said she recognised the need for timely implementation of recruitment and governance measures to effect meaningful change.

The Department of Education has accepted most of the recommendations outlined in the report, including the development of a new long-term strategy by August 2024.