MASP staff will don their PJs on Friday, July 25 – National Pyjama Day – to raise awareness of the barriers children in out of home care face when it comes to education.
Statistics reported by the Pyjama Foundation, a not-for-profit that supports the educational outcomes of Children in Out of Home Care, show:
- More than 45,000 Australian Children are currently in out of home care;
- 92% of children in foster care are below the average reading level by age 7; and
- 57% of young people who grow up in care manage to complete Year 12 or equivalent, compared to the national average of 85%
MASP CEO Charmaine Calis said these statistics showed the need for better understanding of the challenges faced by children in out of home care – such as the disruptive impact of placement changes and difficulty in educational engagement.
“These statistics are in no way reflective of our wonderful foster carers, who open their hearts and homes to vulnerable children in need,” she said.
“But they are a stark reminder of the barriers these children face to achieve the same level of education as their peers. We remain committed to supporting our carers and the children to get the best outcomes for their education and their futures.”
