SMH Schools Summit 2026 as it happened: Prue Car, Sydney university academics, principals speak at annual conference
Sydney Morning Herald
by Cindy Yin, David BarwellMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit brought together top education leaders, principals, and teachers in NSW to discuss critical challenges facing schools today. Key discussions included the rollout of gifted education for over 750,000 students in NSW public schools, as announced by Education Minister Prue Car, who emphasized the importance of ensuring equal opportunities regardless of postcode. Leaders also debated the role of artificial intelligence in education, with NSW Education Secretary Murat Dizdar highlighting the growing need for knowledge in an AI-driven world and urging caution in its implementation. Additionally, concerns were raised about declining maths skills among students, with NAPLAN data showing one-third of Year 3 students struggling to meet numeracy standards.
The summit highlighted the pressing issue of maths anxiety, with educators sharing stories of students breaking down due to fear and pressure. Kelly Norris, a senior research associate at the Centre for Independent Studies, stressed that maths struggles often begin in early years and can lead to long-term confidence issues and avoidance of the subject. She argued that improving foundational skills and addressing teacher confidence are crucial to breaking this cycle.
Another major topic was the impact of COVID-19 on student well-being, with school leaders noting rising anxiety and body image pressures among students. The summit also addressed the ongoing challenge of teacher shortages, with calls for better support for early-career teachers to retain staff and improve classroom conditions. Experts warned of a concerning decline in students’ civics knowledge, calling for greater emphasis on democratic education in schools.
Overall, the summit underscored the need for targeted interventions to address maths anxiety, teacher burnout, and curriculum gaps. These issues not only affect individual student outcomes but also have broader implications for Australia’s education system and society as a whole. By prioritizing early intervention, teacher support, and balanced technology use, educators hope to create more inclusive and effective learning environments.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 3/2/2026