Year 12 drama enrolments drop 39% as students shun creative arts
Year 12 drama enrolments fell 39% between 2015 and 2023. Dance, music and visual arts saw sharp drops too.
Senior Australian students are increasingly turning away from creative arts subjects. In NSW public schools alone, drama enrolments fell from 2,403 in 2016 to 1,441 last year.
This was a drop of about 40%. Education policy has increasingly stressed science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
These subjects are sometimes treated as more valuable for jobs. Some students and parents worry that drama or music will not count well for university entrance exams (ATAR).
However, a recent NSW inquiry found this is often not true. Falling enrolments create smaller classes.
This leads to subject closures and fewer choices for future students. Drama, music and visual arts require critical thinking, interpretation, analysis and practice.
Research suggests these skills help students build creativity and communication. These are particularly valuable as artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace.
- 39%
- Drama enrolments fell
- 2,403 to 1,441
- NSW public schools drama drop
- 38%
- Dance enrolments fell
- 2015 to 2023
- Time period
Why it mattersThe decline risks cutting off young people from important ways of learning. These develop creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.
AustraliaAustralian high school students are losing access to creative arts education at a time when those skills are increasingly valued in the workplace.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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