"Teachers should not usurp the role of parents and should focus on teaching the basics like reading, writing, and STEM subjects, to ensure students are prepared for future study and the workforce," Ms McArthur said.

She said Australian students were lagging behind their Asian counterparts by years in those areas.

"The role of parents should be to ensure their children understand the meaning of respect for all individuals," Ms McArthur said.

Her comments came after it was revealed consent classes would soon be made mandatory for students in Victorian state schools over concerns the issue wasn't always being addressed head-on.

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Acting Premier James Merlino has moved to make teaching consent compulsory in all government schools from next month under an expansion of the Respectful Relationships program.

The initiative previously did not explicitly direct schools to teach consent and instead focused on relationships, sexuality and safety.

From term two, the new directive will compel state schools to teach the government's Respectful Relationships training on free agreements.

Mr Merlino said Victoria and other states should not be complacent on ensuring consent was taught well in classrooms.

"(Respectful Relationships) is proven to make a real difference and is a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence," the education minister said in a statement.

"It is a program that should be rolled out nationwide."

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