THE Queensland Teachers Union south-west president Chris Smith has fired back at figures showing student teachers failing simple components on tests.

The statistics, released by the Federal Government, revealed 10% of students who sat the trial test failed the literacy or numeracy component.

Mr Smith said the research also showed 90% of third and fourth-year teaching students were successfully passing their pre-registrations exams.

"It's quite reductive to focus on the negatives regarding testing, as the test is aimed at graduates and some students may not have been exposed to some of the test material," he said.

"Teaching is much broader than one exam and education needs to focus on building relationships with students and understanding students' many behavioural issues."

Mr Smith said the exam was based on technical knowledge of subjects and some areas were not relevant to teachers.

"I believe if final teaching students are struggling with their pre-registration exams they need to work a little bit harder and be given the necessary help from universities to help them become better teachers," he said.

"The drop-out rate for teaching is quite high, so teachers need more support to adjust to living in a new community and keep quality teachers in the teaching sector."

Mr Smith believed Queensland universities were producing high-quality graduates.

"Teaching is not easy but I believe Roma schools are receiving high-quality graduates who get great on-the-job learning opportunities and teaching experience," he said.

"Teaching is not easy, I believe Roma schools are receiving high quality graduates who get great on the job learning opportunities and teaching experience."

What are your thoughts? Let us know at editorial@westernstarnews.com.