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Breaking
News: Week of 30 October 2006
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Saturday – Sunday, 4 – 5 November
- The Australian
- Teachers baulk at Howard's chaplains
by Jill Rowbotham, Religious affairs writer
"Thousands of religious counsellors will be appointed to schools that join a new $90 million federal program to fill a significant "spiritual and pastoral" gap in services to Australian students."But while church leaders welcomed the program, announced by John Howard yesterday, teachers' groups attacked it as part of the Prime Minister's "fundamentalist approach" to education and values.
"They rejected the need for counsellors to have a religious affiliation and questioned where suitable candidates would be found. Mr Howard emphasised that the three-year scheme, due to begin next year, would be voluntary and that it would be up to the whole school community to select their counsellor, who would then be vetted by the Government..."
"But Australian Secondary Principals Association president Andrew Blair said his members would have "favoured a much more open funding arrangement on a per capita basis for every school in the country, to allow them to engage the right kind of support that they might need, whether it be a social worker, a psychologist or a chaplain"."Mr Blair condemned tying such support to a religious base.
"I'm not sure that all that many schools across the country will opt to pick it up," he said.
"This kind of new fundamentalist zeal that seems to be coming out of Canberra is frankly out of step with what the education community really needs."
"Australian Education Union federal president Pat Byrne said schools should be able to opt for a non-religious counsellor..."
Full story in The Australian at link
Similar story in The Melbourne Age
See below for related story in The Sydney Morning Herald
Uni fees fuelling shortage of skills
by Lisa Macnamara
"Australia is facing endemic shortages of doctors, accountants and engineers to take the place of retiring baby boomers, leaving Canberra increasingly reliant on immigration to make up the numbers."A report to be released today challenges the Howard Government's rhetoric on encouraging students into trades instead of university, and blames the rising cost of tertiary education for placing an effective cap on the number of Australian students on campus.
"There's been a decade of neglect of higher education on the part of the Coalition, and this is now showing up in serious shortages in the output of graduates from the higher education system," said one of the report's authors, Bob Birrell of Monash University.
"All the growth in higher education training over the past decade has been with overseas students. The Government has made going to university more difficult for domestic students by tightening up on access to student financial assistance and by increasing the cost of fees." [emphasis added]
"The report, Clearing the Myths Away: Higher Education's Place in meeting Workforce Demands, says that despite an expected surge in the nation's 15-to-19-year-old age group over the coming decades, not enough young people will have the qualifications to fill the skilled positions left by retiring baby boomers..."
Full story in The Australian at link
Similar story in The Melbourne Age
See below for related story in The Sydney Morning Herald
- Also in The Melbourne Age
- Study says money matters
by Adam Morton
"Poor children fall markedly behind wealthy ones of the same ability over their last three years of school, and are much less likely to qualify for university, a study has found."Joint La Trobe and Australian National University research examining 26,000 students found rich and poor students with the same score on a year 9 test were on average separated by at least 10 points on their year 12 ENTER scores.
"But while socio-economic status affected the likelihood of students of similar talent going to university, the study found cost did not.
"Rich and poor students with the same year 12 marks were equally likely to accept a university place, despite the rising cost of tertiary education..."
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- Op Ed
Life enters the twilight zone
by Tracee Hutchison
Parents cannot screen out life on the internet from teenagers.
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- Monday Education Supplement
- The Sydney Morning Herald
- Catholics and Carr wary of school chaplains plan
by Mark Metherell
"Catholic schools have raised fears of government interference in their religious affairs after John Howard pledged $90 million for school chaplains, a move the former premier, Bob Carr, called a retrograde and divisive threat to the separation of church and state."The Catholic schools sector says a requirement for the Federal Government to vet each appointment will make it think twice about the Prime Minister's plan..."
Full story in The Sydney Morning Herald at link
- Poor soar at university
by John Garnaut, Economics Correspondent
"Research has exploded some myths about university entry and performance - including the notion that richer children and students from private schools get better marks. They do not, sometimes by a wide margin..."
Full story in The Sydney Morning Herald at link
- ABC News
- Pressure mounts to find teachers' pay row resolution
"Pressure is being increased for the ACT Government and the Australian Education Union to resolve the teachers' pay dispute."Canberra teachers will strike six times in the coming month after rejecting the Government's latest pay offer.
"Opposition education spokeswoman Vicki Dunne says the strikes will only add to parents' stress levels.
"We're really concerned about the impact that this really long running teachers' dispute is having on families," she said.
"She says there needs to be a speedy resolution for the sake of Canberra families.
"There's a huge amount of uncertainty and stress in the system, as you run up to the end of the year people are getting themselves ready for whatever decisions will be made about 'Towards 2020', and to have up to six rolling stoppages in the next month ... is a great level of uncertainty," she said..."
Full story at ABC News Online at link
- New research won't change schools policy, Govt says
"The ACT Government says it will not be swayed by new research provided by the Save Our Schools group, in an effort to stop the proposed closure of 39 schools."Save Our Schools has released new research from a consultancy firm in the UK, showing there was a sustained decline in student performance three years after mergers.
"But Education Minister Andrew Barr says the research is not relevant in the ACT context.
"The Government will be looking at all input into our reform of public education, and we take seriously all contributions that are being made, but we are very strongly of the view that there is a time and a need within the ACT education system, that we have too many schools, and that we need to make these changes," he said."
From ABC News Online at link
- ABC News
- Union passes no-confidence motion against Ravlich
"Western Australia's School Teachers Union has passed a motion of no-confidence in state Education Minister Ljiljana Ravlich."The motion, backed by the union's 17-member executive, relates to her position on school report cards in Western Australia.
"Union vice-president Anne Gisborne says they are extremely concerned the Minister has buckled to the Federal Government demand for a grading system for years one to 10.
"The Federal Government's demand is linked to schools funding.
"Ms Gisborne says the expression of no-confidence should act as a wake-up call for the Minister to take a stronger stand.
"I think what we're asking again is that the Minister take control of the education agenda in Western Australia and be less inclined to be subservient to the blackmailing of Federal Minister [Julie Bishop]," she said."
From ABC News Online at link [ABC News stories on the ACT teachers' strike are further down the page]
- The West Australian
- Editorial
Baccalaureate offers an escape from OBE (page 18)
"The International Baccalaureate could emerge as a much sought-after alternative to WA's dumbed-down outcomes-based education.
"The international program has obvious attractions for parents who are dismayed at the deliberate dilution of academic rigour in OBE.
"The drift to private schools, resulting from disaffection with the State system, could be expected to increase significantly if more of them offered the International Baccalaureate."
From The West Australian
- Catholic school abandons OBE (page 5)
by Bethany Hiatt
"A Hills girls’ school is to become the first WA Catholic school to introduce the globally-recognised International Baccalaureate program in a move which could pave the way for scores of Catholic schools to adopt the highly-regarded course as an alternative to outcomes-based education."St Brigid’s College, Lesmurdie, will be the third WA school to offer an IB middle-years program next year.
"Principal Amelia Toffoli denied the move to the IB in Years 6 to 9 was a reaction to problems within the WA education system, saying the program had many similarities to WA’s controversial OBE curriculum framework. But she conceded the system offered better resources for teachers.
“It has been around longer, it’s got professional development opportunities of a high quality and there are also resources that have been developed that are very attractive to teachers,” she said.
“Our mapping exercise has revealed it is very similar to the curriculum framework, though maybe it makes more explicit what is more implicit in curriculum framework.”
"Year 8 students will be the first to start the IB program, which would extend gradually to Years 6, 7 and 9 by 2009.
"Ms Toffoli said research showed students often lost interest in schooling during the transition from primary school to high school and the IB would help give them greater focus.
"If the program was successful, she would consider introducing it to the early primary years and then the upper school diploma course..."
"Scotch College and Presbyterian Ladies College also offer the middle years IB program. They are considering whether to introduce it to upper school in 2009. Kingsley Montessori School offers a two-year IB diploma course leading to university entry for Years 11 and 12..."
Full story in The West Australian at link
- Editorial
Chaplain plan part of PM's push on values (page 18)
"John Howard's plan to fund chaplains for schools is an astute political response to anxieties in middle Australia about schooling and young people's attitudes. Some of his critics have accused him of blurring the line between the state and the church.
"But that is not what the Prime Minister is primarily about. At one level, his plan is an extension of his promotion of traditional values in what some Australians fear in an increasingly value-less society.
"At another, he wants to provide an extra source of advice and care for young people, particularly those who find it hard to talk to parents and teachers about their problems. The practical benefits of this could be to stop young people with feelings of alienation from turning against society and rejecting its values.
"Of course, there is an unspoken message to be found here too of support for an Australia with values that can be described as essentially Christian and moderate, when people are worried about the emerging evidence of fundamentalist extremism being entrenched in this country..."
"Despite some criticism, Mr Howard's move has been widely welcomed. He has clearly tapped into a perceived lack in education about values in State schools.
"There is also a worry about too many parents leaving all education of that type to schools, because they do not have the time or the will to do the job at home.
"When police are moved to issue a threat to baton-charge violent and destructive youth parties around Perth, it is obvious that there is a bit gap to be filled in the awareness of good values among many young people."
Full editorial in The West Australian
- Relief teachers hard to find: survey (page 5)
"Schools are battling to find enough relief teachers to cover classes, a survey has confirmed.
"The WA College of Teaching, a new professional teachers' body, carried out the survey last month in response to growing concerns about the shortage of relief teachers.
"WACOT director Janet Rodgers said the survey proved there was a problem, particularly in the second half of the year.
"But she would not comment on what action the college board would take until after it met next month. [The new board? Web]
"The survey found that some schools were making up to 70 phone calls before they were able to find a relief teacher at short notice.
"Relief teachers employed during the survey week in the 193 primary schools that responded ranged from 261 to 298 per day. In the 86 responding high schools, it was 171 to 234."
From The West Australian
- State pupils outshine in first year at university (page 5)
by Bethany Hiatt
"Students from State schools might not get as high a TEE score as their private school counterparts, but new research shows they out-perform them in early university."The findings, in an unpublished report by University of WA economics professor Paul Miller, show public school students do about three percentage points better in the first year of university than private school students.
"Professor Miller said the study confirmed the results of a similar WA study carried out a few years ago, which found that although private schools were better at getting students into the university and course of their choice, they were less likely to do well in their first year.
"However, the differences ironed out in second and third years, with other research showing that the school effect disappeared after the first year at university.
"Professor Miller said students at private schools received more direction on what to study and had more intense resources thrown at them, but when they arrived at university everyone was treated the same.
“No one’s going to check on Monday whether they’ve done their reading,” he said. The study also found that students who went to single-sex schools did not do as well as those from coeducational schools.
"Professor Miller said one reason was the fact that students from same-sex schools took time to adjust to the coeducational university environment.
“They’ve got to learn to study and live alongside students of the opposite sex,” he said.
"Attending a bigger school also dragged down students’ marks. “There’s a feeling that with larger schools there is less control of the students by teachers,” he said.
"Work done by the Australian Council of Educational Research showed private school students did better in their TEE score by up to five points.
“So it is not the case that money spent on a private school education is money not well spent,” he said.
"Professor Miller suggested private schools offer more programs to prepare students for university life."
From The West Australian at link
- Ravlich under fire over CFMEU grant (page 10)
by Robert Taylor, State Political Editor
"That's the basis of her answer, that she didn't sign off on the contract... approve the contract."
Ravlich Spokesman
[plus photo and sidebar]
"The Education Department has granted $100,000 to the militant Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to oversee new twoyear apprenticeships without formal ministerial approval, according to Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich."Ms Ravlich has twice told State Parliament in answer to Opposition questions that she did not approve funding for the position.
"But she wrote to the Master Builders Association this month to outline why the grants to the CFMEU and another to the Building and Construction Industry Training Fund were made by the Education Department.
“The Department of Education and Training has advised me that the grants were made to the BCITF and the CFMEU to enable both organisations to employ an officer to provide monitoring and support services to apprentices taking up new two-year housing apprenticeships,” she wrote..."
"Ms Ravlich insisted yesterday that the two grants of $100,000 for apprenticeship support positions were awarded by the Department of Education and Training and did not require formal ministerial approval. “This was reflected in my response to a question in Parliament on September 12, 2006,” she said."In Parliament on September 12, Mr Collier asked Ms Ravlich: Has the Minister approved funding to the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union for an officer to monitor and support apprentices employed in the new two-year nominal term trades?
"Ms Ravlich replied: No
"A spokesman for Ms Ravlich said the Minister’s answer reflected the fact that the grants were approved at a departmental level. “That’s the basis of her answer, that she didn’t sign off on the contract . . . approve the contract, it was done at a departmental level,” he said..."
Full story in The West Australian at link
- ABC News
- Canberra teachers cancel planned stoppages [19:40 pm AEDT]
"Canberra's teachers have formally voted to cancel next week's planned stoppages in support of a pay rise."The ACT Government's fifth pay offer to teachers was rejected by the Education Union last week.
"The union's Clive Haggar says as a result of tonight's vote, the Union is ready for the case to go before a private arbitrator.
"We're really in a circumstance where we think we've got a strong case," Mr Haggar said.
"No doubt the Government will be arguing strongly from its perspective, but it will be up to the arbiter and those decisions will be binding."
From ABC News Online at link
- Mediators called into teachers' pay row [16:48 AEDT]
"The ACT Government has moved to ward off further industrial action by teachers by agreeing to use private mediation in an attempt to resolve the pay dispute."Teachers had planned another strike but will tonight vote to suspend the action, following the deal.
"Education Minister Andrew Barr says the issue can be moved forward if the Government and the Australian Education Union (AEU) can agree on some terms of reference and an arbiter.
"I understand that there's a strong desire in school communities for the Government and the AEU to work together to find the resolution," he said.
"We've taken this step and I'm sure with the agreement of the AEU, we can move forward and find a resolution to this dispute, and I certainly hope to be able to do that this year."
From ABC News Online at link
ACT teachers pay dispute continues [09:04 AEDT]
- Earlier story in The Canberra Times: Teachers strike off in talks deal
- Debate over Aboriginal education policies
"The Member for the northern Western Australian seat of Kimberley, Carol Martin, has conceded the education system has let Aboriginal people down."She was responding to comments by federal backbencher Barry Haase who says enforcing school attendance is the key to lifting low literacy and numeracy skills in Indigenous communities.
"Mr Haase says education standards were far better in the mission days.
"Mrs Martin says the federal member is right in his assessment of the education standards of Indigenous people.
"She says his reference to missions is not relevant.
"If what you have tried in the past for the last 40-odd years has not worked how about trying something different?" she said.
"Missionary stuff was a need at the time but surely now we are beyond that."
"Surely we are not going to go back and start looking at creating another stolen generation as it does not work."
From ABC News Online at link
- The Washington Post
- Breaking Down The Ivory Tower
by Jay Mathews
Study Finds Ed Schools in Poor Shape
"This should be a shining moment for education schools. Never has the nation paid so much attention to improving the quality of teaching. Yet the institutions that produce teachers have never faced so much criticism."Teacher education is the Dodge City of the education world," said Arthur Levine, former president of Columbia University's Teachers College. "Like the fabled Wild West town, it is unruly and chaotic."...
"The attacks have become so frequent and intense that some educators say they have gone too far. But a growing number of educators say ed schools fail to give teachers enough background in their subject matter, fail to prepare them for the difficulties of urban schools and fail to recruit the best students."For a study on ed schools released in September, Levine surveyed administrators with firsthand knowledge of these problems: principals. Only two of every five principals surveyed said ed schools were preparing teachers very well or moderately well to get new curriculum and performance standards into the classroom. Only one-third said their teachers were very or moderately well prepared for maintaining classroom order. Only one-fifth said their teachers were that well prepared to work with parents..."
"But rethinking teacher education does not appear to a high priority at many universities. Some experts wonder if ed schools will ever be more than hiring halls with a few textbooks..."
"The traditional ed school path is not the only route into the teaching profession. In 47 states and the District, prospective teachers, especially career-changers, can get credentials through alternative tracks that take less time. Still, most of those initiatives are associated with ed schools..."
Full story in The Washington Post at link
- The Sydney Morning Herald
- Grading of young pupils given F by studies board
by Anna Patty, Education Editor
"The first independent educational advice against the compulsory grading of young children on school reports was made public yesterday, revealing that the NSW Board of Studies opposes not only A to E grades but also what each letter indicates."The descriptions - outstanding, high, sound, basic and limited - will be used in NSW as part of a State Government compromise that has secured $3.7billion in federal funding.
"The board's advice on grading, prepared for the State Government in July, strongly recommends against an A to E system for students in kindergarten and years 1 and 2.
"In a statement prepared for the Government, the president of the board, Gordon Stanley, argues that grading of young children for work other than maths and English is inappropriate.
"While in the key learning areas other than English and mathematics general descriptions about relative progress are possible, finer grading is technically hard to develop until more time has occurred for stable patterns of learning to emerge," Professor Stanley advised.
"In some of these learning areas a comparative grading process may be inconsistent with the purpose of the syllabus." ...
Full story in The Sydney Morning Herald at link
- Chaplain program is no crusade: PM
by Stephanie Peatling and Anna Patty
"The Prime Minister, John Howard, has denied that a program to fund school chaplains is a crusade, saying it is no different to the Federal Government funding independent schools."Mr Howard said he was "not on some crusade", and he did not want to "ram my personal beliefs down people's throats".
"Those who say this is blurring the distinction [between church and state] are therefore saying that paying assistance to independent schools is blurring the distinction. Plainly neither is," Mr Howard said yesterday. "I think we are a secular society in the sense that we don't have an established religion." ...
Full story in The Sydney Morning Herald at link
- Letters to the Editor
- Yet another responsibility dumped on schools
"The decision by the Prime Minister, John Howard, to provide $90 million in funding for schools to employ chaplains is the most bizarre proposal this Government has made ("Catholics, Carr wary of Howard's chaplains", October 30)."Mr Howard is usually a very shrewd operator but his idea is one of the type usually associated with the loonier fringe of the Opposition.
"Such an opportunity to implant a philosophical seed in schools will be very appealing to the more extreme edge of a number of religions. They will agitate to make sure that theirs is the influence within their local school. There'll inevitably be dissatisfied groups who'll see themselves as victims of the process.
"Certain school councils and principals will leap at the opportunity to cement cosy relationships within the community while others will have to work very hard to resist the pressures in order to remain true open public schools.
"This proposal is another admission by government that it has allowed a problem to develop and it does not know what to do about it.
"In each circumstance in the past, an answer has been to throw some funds at the problem and pass it back to schools to solve. The school day now must include solving the nation's nutrition and obesity problem, road safety and better driving, family breakdown and counselling, the orientation of families of other cultural and language backgrounds, social behaviour, environmental destruction and others. The introduction of chaplaincies will throw another influence over the curriculum.
"The other aspect which worries me as a retired principal is that it is also a scandalous waste of money, when public schools have more basic needs. The physical conditions in which many of our young people learn and our teachers work are far less than adequate. The resources in many schools are scarce, especially where the children have special needs. That money could be put to some real benefit for the community.
"It is also bizarre because I doubt that it will result in a net gain in votes."
Brian Greene, Neutral Bay
- Diversity of beliefs too much for one chaplain
"As a Christian scripture teacher at a primary school I am all for more spiritual and pastoral care, but am wary that school chaplains may not be the way to do it. As Jenny Macklin says, it must be flexible enough to take into account the diversity of religious beliefs. But how can one chaplain do this?"If it's difficult to organise a combined Christmas get-together for scripture without stepping on numerous toes, I'm not convinced schools will be able to appoint a chaplain who will please everyone."
Derek Cheng, Wollongong
- "While chaplains may be useful for some people in a school, youth workers would do the job better. They receive training to help in areas such alcohol and other drugs, mental health and sexual health. Their training specialises in dealing with young people. They do not have a religious barrow to push. Young people may not want to deal with a person of a differing faith.
"It is commendable to address the non-educational needs of a school population, but let's get the right people for the job."
Jonathan Christley, Woonona
"Funding for religious chaplaincy is an alarming thought. In no circumstances should a supposedly secular government be funding religion in schools, voluntary or not.
"If John Howard wants to create a more supportive environment in schools, he should consider supporting the schools themselves, and cease his attacks on public education."
Melissa Brooks, North Parramatta
- "How about spending $20,000 a high school on proper driver education for all year 11 and 12 students? Then, maybe, the need for a chaplain to help deal with tragic loss caused on the roads wouldn't be so apparent."
Barry McCarthy, Caves Beach
- "The $20,000 to be given to schools for chaplains is a use of public money to support religious activities. This of itself should be sufficient cause for concern, but the "vetting" by the Federal Government of the chaplains has a mild aroma of totalitarianism.
"Genuine concern for students' spiritual wellbeing could be boldly demonstrated by a $20,000 chapel bush-style: eucalypts, grasses and places to sit and quietly contemplate … at every school. What a legacy."
Helen Conidaris, Marrickville
- "Unbelievable. The Government is to spend $90 million to provide priests with access to children when they are most vulnerable and no one is uneasy?"
Rod Jones, Monash (ACT)
- The Australian
- Grassroots idea grows into $90 million scheme
by Jill Rowbotham, Religious affairs writer
"John Howard's $90 million initiative for a chaplain for every school germinated at a grassroots level on the Mornington Peninsula."It was the treasurer of the local chaplaincies committee, financial planner and religious education teacher Peter Rawlings who thought up the scheme, which he then told his local federal MP Greg Hunt..."
"Although community reaction to the initiative was mixed yesterday, the biggest parent group in the country endorsed it."Australian Council of State School Organisations president Jennifer Branch supported the initiative despite doubts about whether the offer of $20,000 per school to help provide a chaplain was enough.
"It will not go very far: you are probably only going to get someone for eight hours a week out of $20,000, with on-costs included."
"She attempted to hose down concerns over any religious agenda. "Let's not make this a religious debate," she said.
"It's not about teaching religion in schools. It is a pastoral care issue and providing our students with another means of support." ...
Full story in The Australian at link
- Editorial
God in the machine
John Howard's chaplaincy program is smart politics
"Religion has long had a place in Australian education, but a plan released on the weekend by John Howard will further inject faith into the nation's public schools... Teachers unions and principals associations were predictably quick to attack the plan, while cynics, startled at the sudden nature of the proposal, wondered if the whole scheme was just a sop to Family First's Steve Fielding for supporting changes to media ownership laws. But the reaction was not entirely negative. The ALP cautiously endorsed the proposal. Even Pat Byrne, federal president of the Australian Education Union and no fan of the Howard Government's policies on education, admitted that "most schools would welcome the additional resource" a chaplain could provide. But those most likely to be pleased by the proposal are parents who, whether they are particularly religious or not, are concerned about the drift away from standards in the classroom..."
"Ultimately, the practical implementation of the scheme may not matter so much as the impression it creates. Spending a relatively small amount of money to put pastoral counsellors into schools may help staunch the flow of children from public schools whose parents are concerned about values. Parents looking to give their children a more traditional or religiously tinged education have more options than ever these days, with the surfeit of low-cost, faith-based schools springing up across Australia's mortgage-belt suburbs..."
Full editorial in The Australian at link [scroll down to second editorial]
- Letters to the Editor
- Some chaplains cause more trouble than good
"In many years of being responsible for a chaplaincy in tertiary education, I have found that appointing chaplains is almost always difficult. Who chooses the school chaplain? On what criteria? In a multicultural school, how does the school choose between competing faith or ethnic claims?"Educational chaplaincy ("Teachers baulk at Howard’s chaplains”, 30/10) attracts both the well-qualified and accredited and those whose claim is based on a personal calling from God. It is the latter who most often claim discrimination when they fail to be appointed or who create problems when they are.
"Professionalism includes a code of ethics, an understanding of boundaries, a working knowledge of child development and a willingness to work co-operatively with all staff members. Those who believe that their relationship with God is personal and authoritative often find constraints on their zeal hard to accept and, frankly, finish up causing far more trouble than good."
Denis McMullen, Fig Tree Pocket, Qld
"A secular state is one of the great Australian traditions on which all John Howard’s Australian values are based. Let us not lose sight of the great good sense of our forebears in keeping public education free from religious proselytising.
"Let us keep sectarianism out of Australian schools and, while we are at it, remove all overt religious elements, including existing chaplains, from our schools. Otherwise we simply ask for inter-religion strife beginning in our playgrounds."
Mark Svendsen, South Brisbane, Qld
- "Those rushing to condemn Mr Howard’s $90 million plan to put chaplains in schools should recognise that anything that might stem the rising tide of spiritual anorexia in some schools is not a bad idea. Assuming these chaplains are well trained in contemporary adolescent psychology and have the ability to establish and maintain rapport with students, there could be real benefits."
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Balwyn, Vic
- "While everyone is free to practice their religion (or none) and I don’t disagree that schools could benefit from skilled counsellors, the cynic in me wonders which ideological road the Prime Minister is heading down. If the experience in the US is anything to go by, politically sponsored attempts to bring certain types of religious doctrine into public schools has been bitterly divisive across many states. One would hope the Prime Minister treads very carefully in this area."
Michael Mayfield, Grose Wold, NSW
- The Melbourne Age
- Canberra's plan for chaplains comes under fire
by David Rood and Chee Chee Leung
"Plans to fund chaplains for schools threatens secular education in the public system and favours private schools, teacher and school groups warn..."
"Critics say the plan promotes the view that "values" are the province of religious faith only and that the money could be better spent on training student welfare workers..."
"The Australian Education Union said the plan was divisive and the "overwhelming majority of schools" would not take up the offer."The union's Victorian branch president, Mary Bluett, said the scheme threatened secular education in public schools.
"Despite what the Prime Minister might say about them (chaplains) not being denominational, this will be seen to be promoting religion," she said. "This is a funding windfall to non-government schools who will take it up willingly." ...
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- Op Ed
Meddling with religious belief
by Andrew Lynch
"The Commonwealth's plan to spend $90 million over the next three years putting chaplains in every Australian school has been strongly criticised as weakening the separation of church and state in Australia. Arguments of that sort are often fobbed off as too abstract, but the nation's founders did not think so. On the contrary, they took the trouble to limit the ability of the Commonwealth to play a role in religious affairs..."
"Under the Commonwealth constitution, the Federal Parliament is prohibited from passing a law that confers on any religion the status of a national established church. It also cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion or impose any requirement for religious observance on the community. Additionally, the constitution states that "no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth"."That last one might well scupper the Prime Minister's plans for the Commonwealth to exercise a veto over who may take up a position as chaplain. John Howard has said that the Government reserves the right to "say no to somebody who is plainly unacceptable" and that this is just sensible given that taxpayers' money is being used to fund the chaplains..."
Andrew Lynch, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, NSW University.
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- Letters to the Editor
- Students need counsellors, not religious guides
"There is no doubt that in both public and private schools there is a role for qualified counsellors. It is essential that these counsellors have an appropriate qualification in student welfare, social work or psychology — preferably with teaching qualifications as well. Their charter would be to help students with problems related to schooling and through various crisis periods in their lives as well as provide guidance with career and life decisions.
"But while there is a desperate need for qualified counsellors in schools, the Howard Government has decided instead to spend a large amount of taxpayers' money to provide chaplains to public schools (The Age, 30/10). This would seem a blatant misuse of public funds as there is ample opportunity to seek religious guidance outside the state school system.
"If parents of students or students themselves feel they need guidance or counselling from a minister of religion, there is no shortage of people in the community willing to provide this type of help."
Des Bryceland, Tootgarook
Keep religion out
"I would like to declare my opposition to the introduction of chaplains in public schools. Having finished school only last year, I am well aware of the influence teachers and counsellors can have on a student's life. No public school student should be subject to political or religious influence. These are choices that need to be made outside school. Guidance counsellors without any religious bias already provide "guidance on values" — hopefully not political or religious ones — so why not put the money there?"
Nick Rowan, 18, Bentleigh East
What 'ethics'?
"I was amazed to hear John Howard say that he wants to bring spiritual values and ethics to schools by appointing chaplains. This Prime Minister has supported the coalition invasion of Iraq for no good reason, resulting in the death of 2800 US soldiers and 655,000 Iraqis; has locked up people who came to us for help; has refused to seek justice for David Hicks; and has failed Australia's poor. What ethics is he talking about?"
Reverend Bill Wheatland, Crafers, SA
All thanks to God
"As the author of a personal submission for a national schools chaplaincy program earlier in the year, I would like to thank my federal MP, Greg Hunt, who came up with the concept of a submission for such a program to Prime Minister John Howard and Science and Training Minister Julie Bishop. I would also like to thank federal MPs Louise Markus, David Fawcett and Andrew Lamming, who supported Greg Hunt at a parliamentary level; Ms Bishop, who has supported the initiative from the outset; and Mr Howard, who had the fortitude to make the ultimate decision. Finally, however, I give all thanks to God, who makes all things possible and in whose name we give praise.
"This country will in time be grateful for the funding package that the Howard Government has provided to bring chaplaincy into the lives of many more of our young people, families and school communities that will deliver positive human development programs."
Peter Rawlings, Mount Martha
- Media Release: WA Electoral Commission
MEDIA RELEASE
Western Australian College of Teaching:
Election of Board of Management
The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Warwick Gately, has today deemed void, and therefore halted, the current election of teacher representatives for the Board of Management of the Western Australian College of Teaching
The election has been underway since mid August 2006 when the intention to hold the election was advertised.
“I have taken this decision due to a technical incompatibility between the Western Australian College of Teaching Election Rules 2006 setting out the procedure for the election and the Act under which those Rules are made”, Mr Gately said.
“A legal problem in the Rules was identified by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in its recent review of the Rules. Upon being made aware of the Committee’s views I immediately sought independent legal opinion.”
Mr Gately said that, having considered the legal advice received, he had formed the view that aspects of the Rules were invalid in that they gave the Returning Officer appointed by him under the Rules certain powers relating to the conduct of an election which, on a proper interpretation of the Act, could legally rest only with the Electoral Commissioner.
“The problem identified was a technical legal matter, not related to the conduct of the election, but unique to the way the Act and the election rules were intended to operate together” he said. “Essentially under the Act the conduct of the election is to be the responsibility of the Electoral Commissioner and cannot be passed in its entirety to a Returning Officer”.
“The election has progressed to the point where postal voting packages are being returned for counting. Close of poll was to be on 10 November 2006. This will now not occur and a fresh election will be necessary. Ballot papers received will be destroyed.”
Mr Gately said that halting the election was a regrettable but necessary step. It was essential that the election of members to the Board of Management be valid. Mr Gately was in the process of writing to all electors involved to explain the circumstances surrounding the need to stop the election.
“I will work with the current WACOT Board of Management and the Department of Education Services in refining the Rules to remove the relevant drafting difficulty and to allow a fresh election to proceed. The timing of a fresh election would be a matter for the WACOT Board of Management”.
ENDS
Authorised by the Electoral Commissioner for publication.
1 November 2006
Contact: Warwick Gately AM
Electoral Commissioner
9214 0403
From Electoral Commission of WA website at link
- The West Australian
- OBE push a political shambles: principal (page 5)
by Bethany Hiatt
"A Catholic principal has launched a scathing attack on outcomes-based education, telling parents that the State Government's push to implement the scheme on their children had been a politically motivated shambles.
"Mazenod College rector Brian Maher told guests at the school's speech night that the bungled bid to implement OBE in 2007 had left teachers extremely frustrated and turned students into political footballs.
"The shambles of OBE and courses of study can, in my view, only be described as politically cynical," Father Maher said. "We must never allow our children to be sacrificed on the altar of ideological or political theory."
"The attack came as other leading Catholic schools revealed they might adopt the globally recognised International Baccalaureate program as an alternative to OBE. St Brigid's College in Lesmurdie is offering the IB program to Years 6 to 9 students next year, paving the way for it to be taught in Years 11 and 12.
"Sacred Heart College principal Ian Eider was also keen to offer the highly regarded diploma in place of OBE but said it was an expensive option and many students would be deterred by the requirement to learn a second language.
"He believed the WA curriculum had been diluted in lower secondary school and the IB was a worthwhile alternative. "And we are still unclear on where we are going with the new courses of study (in Years 11 and 12)," he said.
"Chisholm Catholic College principal Patricia Rodrigues said the school would consider offering the IB program if all Year 7s were moved into high schools – a move Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich is considering.
"Treetops Montessori School IB co-ordinator Norman Megahey, who found out this week the Darlington school had approval to run the diploma in 2007, said the IB curriculum was more rigorous than the new OBE courses.
"The Australian School of International Education will also implement the IB diploma in 2008.
"IB Australasian regional representative Greg Valentine said 104 Australian schools now offer IB programs and he expected that number to double in two years. He conceded that part of the demand could arise from disenchantment with OBE.
"That's a possibility. We've probably seen evidence of that in the early 1990s in Victoria when a large number of schools came because they were disillusioned with OBE," he said.
"We hope people will want to do it for what it is, not because they want to escape from what they currently have – but we are also realistic enough to know that if they're entirely happy with what they have they are not going to change."
From The West Australian
- Letters to the Editor
There's a range of Letters on the proposed chaplaincy in schools program. I haven't transcribed them here (they are not available online), as there is an even wider range of similar Letters, from The Australian, The Melbourne Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, in today's and yesterday's Breaking News.
- The New York Times
- Grading a School’s Grades
by Alan Finder
"Simbury, Connecticut. — Standards have always been high at Simsbury High School, with A’s earned, not handed out haphazardly. But in an era of widespread grade inflation, grades here actually went down."Alarms went off all over this affluent, woodsy suburb northwest of Hartford. Parents became concerned that their teenagers might lose ground in the ever stiffening competition for admission to elite colleges.
"Into the breach stepped Robert M. Hartranft, whose son had graduated from Simsbury, and who had little previous involvement with grading.
"Mr. Hartranft, a nuclear engineer who had been forced to retire early because of Parkinson’s disease, came up with what he thinks is a rigorous mathematical model to compare the school’s demanding grading system with more lenient grading in other schools. The model, he and some local school administrators say, is a bold new way to think about grades.
“I’m giving you a G.P.S. navigation system, as opposed to scraps of maps,” Mr. Hartranft said. “If all you have are scraps of maps, which is all that admissions offices get in the existing protocol, then this gives you an overall orientation.”
"Mr. Hartranft created an analytical method he calls the g.p.a. plot; it uses national data on grade-point averages and SAT scores to compare national grading norms with those at the local high school. The purpose, he said, is to reduce the variability and subjectivity of grades — and to make it absolutely clear to college admissions offices that a B or B-plus at Simsbury may be the equivalent of an A at most high schools..."
Full story in The New York Times at link
- The Guardian
- Exam board attacked for approving text message answers
by staff and agencies
"Exam chiefs in Scotland were branded "ridiculous" today after admitting that answers written in text message language will be acceptable in English tests as long as they are correct."The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said the use of phrases like "2b r nt 2b" or "i luv u" in exam papers would be allowed as long as candidates showed that they understood the subject..."
Full story in The Guardian at link
- The Canberra Times
- Arbiter to rule on teachers' dispute
by Markus Mannheim
"The drawn-out pay dispute between the ACT Government and Canberra's public school teachers is likely to be resolved before the end of the year, after both sides confirmed they would accept the ruling of an independent arbiter."The teachers' union and Education Minister Andrew Barr announced yesterday that they had agreed to enter private mediation.
"The six strikes that were planned to take place throughout this month, starting on Monday, have now been called off.
"The concession comes after more than a year of negotiations - including a six-month campaign of industrial action - failed to find common ground on the issues of salary and staffing levels..."
Full story in The Canberra Times at link
- ABC News
- Teachers suspend strike plans for mediation
"ACT teachers have suspended plans for rolling strikes after the government agreed to mediation."The Australian Education Union (AEU) says it hopes to discuss plans over its pay dispute with ACT Government officers today.
"AEU agreed to suspend industrial action planned for the next few weeks, to allow for private arbitration as the Government agreed after its fifth offer to teachers had been rejected.
"AEU spokesman Clive Haggar says he agrees with the Government's call for a resolution before the end of the year, but not if it is at the expense of teachers..."
Full story at ABC News Online at link
- School closures not inconsistent with ACT plan, says Minister
- The Australian
- Bureaucrat quits over child scandals
by Tony Barrass and Amanda O'Brien
"The head of Western Australia's embattled Department for Community Development resigned last night after a string of scandals that have rocked the Carpenter Government."Jane Brazier, a career public servant, oversaw one of the darkest periods of child protection in the state's history, which culminated in the death of baby Wade Scale after several departmental bungles led to his being put back in the care of a baby-bashing father and drug-addicted mother..."
Full story in The Australian at link
- Higher Education Supplement,12 articles including:
- Worst may be over for entries
"The three-year slide in national demand for university places appears be at an end as most states report a jump in applications for 2007."But in Western Australia and Queensland, where the resources boom is driving economic growth, admissions centres say applications are down again..."
- Full fees deter local students, report says
"Australia's domestic full-fee degree program has come under renewed attack amid predictions of considerable shortages of tertiary graduates. But defenders say that without full fees for locals the shortages would have been even greater."A new paper from Monash University this week predicts significant shortfalls in numbers of health, accounting and engineering graduates..."
- Uni fees fuelling shortage of skills
"Australia is facing endemic shortages of doctors, accountants and engineers to take the place of retiring baby boomers, leaving Canberra increasingly reliant on immigration to make up the numbers."A report to be released today challenges the Howard Government's rhetoric on encouraging students into trades instead of university, and blames the rising cost of tertiary education for placing an effective cap on the number of Australian students on campus..."
- More than just a score
"Despite considerable rhetoric about making a university education available to everyone with the motivation and the ability, students from economically deprived backgrounds remain under-represented in higher education. Their absence is particularly marked in our most selective universities..."
- Letters to the Editor
- Spiritual anorexia in schools
"I agree with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg (Letters, 30/10) when he says that “anything that might stem the rising tide of spiritual anorexia in some schools is not a bad idea”. However, if he thinks that by bringing chaplains into schools this is going to be achieved, he is missing the point. As Joseph Campbell the philosopher said, “religion is the greatest bar to the spiritual experience”."Or if you like, religion and spirituality are mutually exclusive notions. Let’s not confuse the pursuit of dogma with the finding of self."
Chris McKimm, Karangi, NSW
- "Reflecting on the Prime Minister’s plan to fund chaplains in schools, I can see the merit of philosophical support for students during a stressful and confusing time. But without wishing to sound unsavoury, careful methods of selection would have to be done to assure those placed with youth are without appetites for them, and I would further suggest that the PM provide funding to teach all children in schools how to cope and care as parents in later life to protect future infants and children, and for the mental health of future parents themselves.
"I would further ask that the PM look into another area of society to protect the vulnerable and provide funding or legislation to require that dayrooms in aged care facilities are never unstaffed while residents are in them, to minimise injuries and discomfort of our elderly."
John Dobinson, North Balwyn, Vic
- "Enlightenment doesn’t have to cost $20,000 per school - it’s already free down the road at the local church, mosque or temple. Maybe parents who want their kids to have religious education should think about taking them there sometime?"
Carolynne James, Cremorne, NSW
- The Melbourne Age
- Op Ed
This is no attempt to force-feed religion to children
by John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia
"There is a keen desire in the wider community for additional ways to provide pastoral care, comfort and support for young Australians."In an increasingly complex world, parents are telling my Government that a school chaplain would help them provide positive guidance to their children.
"Like the chaplains who played such a vital role supporting the families and friends of those murdered in the 2002 Bali bombings, our National School Chaplain Program is designed to provide assistance to students in need. The chaplains would be expected to provide pastoral care, general religious and personal advice and comfort and support to students and staff, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
"They might support school students and the wider school community in a range of other ways, such as assisting them explore their spirituality or providing guidance on religion, values and ethical matters.
"Chaplains could also help school counsellors and staff offer welfare services and support in cases of bereavement or family breakdown, or at other times of crisis and loss.
"It is not an attempt to force-feed religion to our children..."
"We have little, if any, checks on what teachers say to their students — we place a burden of trust on those who instruct our children. The same burden would exist for chaplains."Chaplains already make a valuable contribution to the pastoral care, personal, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of young people and the nation. This program will ensure many more schools will also benefit from the presence of a chaplain."
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- Op Ed
Getting into bed with the state
by Natasha Cica
"What is really motivating the Federal Government's drive to install more chaplains in Australian schools? Genuine concern for the wellbeing of all school communities and the children at their heart? Or is this a cynical game play in the culture wars, set to inflame old and new divisions in Australian society — between Maoists and Marists, between the secular and the sacred, between heathens and harlots and those deadset for heaven?"It's hard to answer those questions. We are told $20,000 will be available to be handed to any school, anywhere, to subsidise chaplaincy services providing pastoral care and spiritual guidance. Those Australians whose knees jerk fearfully at the prospect of more meddling priests have been assured these chaplains will not be expected to have a religious background. Yet they will be required to provide religious support to students..."
Natasha Cica is director of management and communications consultancy Periwinkle Projects. She delivered the 2006 Webber Lecture on ethics and education at the Hutchins School, Hobart.
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- Letters to the Editor
- Quid pro quo
"The Howard Government's plan to put chaplains into public schools has all the hallmarks of a trade-off. It smells like the first down-payment on Steve Fielding's deal with Howard: "I'll vote for your media ownership deal if you put God onto the public school curriculum." After all, the Christian lobby is not fond of an active media; too much free thinking doesn't help if you're trying to peddle doctrine."It's perfect for Howard, too; he's even gone one step further and sold the whole thing as putting "values" into public schools. Which he alleges parents want.
"No, Mr Howard, we don't. My daughter has been at a public school for seven years and there has been no shortage of "values teaching". She's been taught to respect other people, to care for and help those less fortunate or less able, to be tolerant of others' views and to do her bit to preserve our fragile environment. And that's just a snapshot.
"So she doesn't need a chaplain. By all means, put money into trained school counsellors, but keep religion out of our public schools. I've had enough of the fundamentalist Christian lobby setting the agenda."
Josephine Williams, East Kew
Is this the idea?
"Surely an arrangement that provides the Government with an overriding veto on the appointment of chaplains, especially in public schools, will result in the "sanitising" of the belief systems in today's youth, and will further marginalise those of alternative faiths who do not have the means or opportunity to attend a private school that represents their system of belief. Maybe this is the idea."
Matt Burtt, Rosebud
Maybe …
"Maybe some of our children are looking for something other than drugs and alcohol in times of crisis these days — or things that their parents don't treat as important. Maybe it's about time to campaign for a better life for our children rather than campaigning for drug freedom and heroin-injecting rooms (eh, Bob Brown and your Green friends?). Just maybe John Howard is right this time. Maybe this will help our kids. Because there sure are plenty of things in this day and age that are not."Peter Bennett, Doncaster East
Complete Letters to the Editor of The Melbourne Age at link
- Chaplains cause rift in Labor ranks
by Jewel Topsfield, Canberra
"Controversial plans to install chaplains in public schools have divided Labor, with some MPs angry that Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has backed the program."People are absolutely ropeable about it in the Left of the party," a source said yesterday..."
"Mr Beazley supports chaplains in schools, pointing out that programs set up under state Labor governments already exist."But ALP senator Patricia Crossin, a former teacher, said she did not believe chaplains were appropriate. "We stand for public, free and secular education so this is a misguided use of resources," Senator Crossin said.
"If we are going to have people available to children for counselling, they need to be well-educated and well-experienced child psychologists." ...
Full story in The Melbourne Age at link
- The Sydney Morning Herald
- Letter to the Editor
- Learning is no priority
"John Howard has committed $21 million to improve children's reading skills, $5.8 million to improve the learning outcomes of children experiencing a disability and $22 million to assist indigenous children to complete school. A total of $48.8 million to children who are considered to be experiencing a learning difficulty.
"Obviously these children will find great comfort from the $90 million worth of "acceptable religious counsellors".
Daniel Laws, Mapleton (Qld)
Complete Letters to the Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald at link
- The West Australian
- Teachers to put opinions on OBE (page 11)
by Bethany Hiatt
"State school teachers who believe the assessment system that underpins the outcomes-based education system is flawed have the chance to criticise it in a union survey."The State School Teachers Union is polling teachers on which, if any, of the three Curriculum Council-endorsed OBE assessment systems they prefer.
"They have minor differences but all use “levels” between one and eight to rank students.
"Teachers will also have the option to tick “other” if they oppose levels.
"Insiders are predicting a landslide of replies from teachers saying they want to use traditional percentages to rank students, not OBE levels.
"SSTU president Mike Keely said there was no doubt that problems with OBE assessment were the biggest single issue for teachers.
“We want to make sure we are giving as much feedback to the Curriculum Council as we can,” he said. “One of the things I hope will be very clear from the survey is that different learning areas have different needs.”
"Marko Vojkovic, co-founder of teachers’ group People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes, hoped teachers would say they wanted to keep the traditional system, in which classroom marks were used to calculate students’ university entrance scores.
“You simply can’t use levels for tertiary entrance rank calculation,” he said. “It’s too imprecise, it’s too subjective and there’s no comparability between teachers.”
From The West Australian at link
- Technicality ends teaching board election (page 42)
by Bethany Hiatt
"Teachers will have to wait even longer to get a voice on their peak professional body after the Electoral Commission yesterday called off an election for board members a week before voting was to close."Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said he was forced to abandon the WA College of Teaching board election because of a technicality.
"He had delegated responsibility for the election to a returning officer, but under the WACOT Act, only the Electoral Commissioner could conduct the election, not a delegated officer.
"Mr Gately said calling off an election was very rare. It was not something he had done before this occasion in his three years in the job.
"Election costs of about $20,000 would have to be absorbed by WACOT or the Electoral Commission, but Mr Gately said it was too soon to say who would pay.
"WACOT, a professional association that all teachers must join if they want to teach in WA, was set up in 2004 with a provisional board until an election could be held.
"The postal election, which started in August and was to close on November 10, was for 10 practising teacher representatives.
"WACOT board chairman Brian Lindberg said he was stunned by the decision. A new election would be called as soon as possible. More than 3600 teachers had voted by October 25.
"Greg Williams, president of teachers’ lobby group People Lobbying Against Teaching Outcomes, said the 10 PLATO members who were running on a joint ticket were devastated.
“All that WACOT had to do in its first two years of existence was register 40,000 teachers correctly and conduct the election,” he said.
“It has failed miserably in both of those.”
"He called for Mr Lindberg to step down. [emphasis added]
"Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said the decision would be a disappointment to teachers.
“WACOT is an independent body that represents the teaching profession. I have been advised that the board can continue to function until new elections are held,” she said.
"Shadow education minister Peter Collier said the WACOT Act was assented to in June 2004 and it took until August 2006 to table the rules for the election of teachers to the board."
From The West Australian at link
- Letters to the Editor (page 23)
- "In less than a month we have seen two CEOs of government departments (DET and DCD) pushed out because of problems in their departments, yet both ministers continue on regardless. I would have liked to see how Alan Carpenter the journalist would have viewed this. I'm sure it would have been different from his current outlook."
Patrick F Whalen, Newman
- Two Letters on the chaplaincy proposal, both highly in favour of the program.
- The Daily Mail [UK]
- Make A-levels harder or we'll stop teaching them, says top public school
by Sarah Harris
"One of the world's most famous private schools says it will stop teaching A-levels unless Ministers toughen up the exams. The ultimatum has been issued by £24,825-a-year [A$ 62,000] Harrow School amid rising discontent with the supposedly "gold standard" qualification.
"Headmaster Barnaby Lenon said that questions have been made easier in some A-level subjects while coursework is vulnerable to cheats. The renowned school, which boasts alumni including Winston Churchill, will switch to the new "Pre-U" qualification being developed at Cambridge's exam board if A-levels are not strengthened..."
Full story in The Daily Mail at link
Readers' comments on this article at link
- The Canberra Times
- Editorial
Echo of schism in chaplaincy offer
"John Howard has created an excellent, but entirely cynical, distraction from mundane cares with his offer to subsidise chaplaincy services to Australian government schools. Assuming that the primary purpose of it is to provide pastoral care, rather than specific religious instruction, the idea is not objectionable on the grounds of any supposed constitutional divide between church and state. There may even be no problem providing non-sectarian religious instruction - if this were possible - to all who wanted to listen."But it is objectionable nonetheless, whether as a public mischief calculated to position the Government in the supposed culture wars and "values" debate, as an amazing diversion of public resources - $90million a year is being spoken of - at a time when schools are short of funds, and as a particularly strange provocation, given the failure of mainstream religions to hold their own in multicultural discourse..."
Full editorial in The Canberra Times at link
- The Guardian
- Two-thirds
