The opportunity for children and teenagers to reach their full potential is often determined by their education.
The Film:
‘Waiting for Superman’ (4½ stars), released on 24th March 2011 at selected cinemas, follows five American students who try to win a spot through the drop of a number in an alternative school. Such alternative schools are called ‘charter schools’ – publicly funded schools whereby it is free for students to attend, but operates independently of the public system. The film’s title – and the charter schools – was inspired by Geoffrey Canada.
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| Geoffrey Canada |
As a boy, Canada cried when he was told that Superman didn’t exist because this meant that there was no one left to save him. Here is the official trailer to this film:
This film focuses on the divide between government and non-government education, in particular how government schools are letting students down. Yet, the most damning focus is on the incompetent teachers that remain in the system because the union works to protect them. As a result, this film caused a furore in America.
Ironically, the director Davis Guggenheim (also the director of ‘Inconvenient Truth’) in the opening scenes drives passed three public schools in Los Angeles to drop off his own children at a non-government school. This is because he is enabled with ‘choice’. Many other families do not have the same choice. Choice leads to opportunity.
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| Davis Guggenheim |
Australia’s Education System:
The basic foundation of education:
Australia has ratified the international Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC). This means that Australia has signed this international treaty and implemented it into our legal system. It becomes part of our laws. A section of the CROC recognises that every child has the right to an education, even if the parent/s cannot afford it. Hence, fees at government schools are not compulsory.
The funding of education:
It is the taxpayer who pays for education. The federal government then passes this pool of money onto the state governments, who in turn decide how to allocate this money throughout the government and non-government schools.
Currently, government schools on average receive $11 061 per student, whilst non-government schools receive $6 089 per student. The non-government schools have their income further topped up by parents paying fees.
The pressing question here is: should non-government schools continue to receive government funding (no matter how much it is) when parents are already paying substantial fees and have chosen to send their child to that school?
For example, Geelong Grammar is the most expensive non-government school in Australia. The school’s Year 12 fees are greater than $20 000 and the government further subsidises the school with approximately another $3 500 per student. Should they still receive this government funding?
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| Geelong Grammar |
Whereas, at your local government school, fees are voluntary – and not all parents pay them. Whilst the school does receive government funding, is it enough?
(Figures taken from ‘The Age’ - ‘Can We Afford to Continue Funding Private Schools?’ 18/2/2011)
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| Government School |
Teachers:
Are most teachers mediocre? – whether it be because they are: tired of unruly children/teenagers; inadequate at conveying the lesson goals; terribly disorganised; feel unsupported in their workplace; are underpaid; disconnected from their students; struggle with classroom management; suffer low morale due to poor facilities; run ragged with endless paperwork, reports, emails, telephone calls, meetings, extra-curricular activities, camps, or corrections; or, because they are simply not made of ‘teacher stuff’.
Or, are most teachers mediocre because they do not have the energy to be anything else because of all of/some of the above?
What do you remember of your teachers? What made the good ones great?
Or, are most teachers mediocre because there is a decline in the academic standard of teaching recruits? Last year in Victoria, the average university entry score for a teaching degree was the lowest in more than a decade, sitting at 68.45 (highest achievable VCE ENTER is 99.95).
Or, are most teachers mediocre because the average wage of a Victorian teacher is $46 498 - $66 514? The worst shortages of teachers recorded by the Education Department this year were in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Not only this, 40% of government schools have reported having to place teachers in subjects they were unqualified to teach.
This following clip may give you some further insight:
Whatever your answer to the above questions, is it the adults that are to blame? Be it from teachers, principals, parents, to politicians.
Do you think Australia also has inequalities of opportunity between its public and private schools?
The reality is this: a) we live in a world that is far from equal and choice has always been the prerogative of those who are either rich or make enormous sacrifices; not all teachers are excellent or desire to be so; c) not all schools are equally resourced because of either socio-economic location or because of political favours; and, finally, d) not all schools deliver a quality holistic education. Where "b", "c", and "d" apply then "a" comes into play.
ReplyDeleteI teach in a low fee-paying independent school and I know why we are sought out and why we are not. We exist in a democratic society as an option - and while the state chooses not to resource all its schools in the way it does Melbourne High inequity in the state system will always prevail - budget prioritisation is all it takes. Melbourne High is an example of the state giving privilege to some over others.
The state and federal governments continue to confuse the public about the resources available for all schooling. There is enough however, the mean attitude of our governments continue to present the opposite- a scarcity. Why would we continue to support a two class system that divides people and continues to reinforce the myth that some of us are better than others?
ReplyDeleteI have been brought up with strong views on the government vs non government schools debate. I have always believed that quality education should be available to everyone no matter where they live or how much their parents earn. It seems completely unfair to me that governments fund private schools that have excessive fees and that public schools are required to fundraise constantly through the year just to buy computers or get a new building finished.
ReplyDeleteAs for teachers, I think those who are passionate about education and their role in educating young people would be offended to think that they could be labelled as 'mediocre'. I know and work with many teachers young and old who put in hours, energy and emotion well outside what is expected because they truly believe they can make a difference to the children they teach. However, of course, as with any job, there are people who for whatever reason (the ones you listed) are'working below the expected level' yet continue to be employed in ongoing positions in our schools... Why?
Wow, so many issues, so little time to comment! Good one Shan and Al, very thought provoking!
THE TRAINED MONKEY:
ReplyDeleteI’d firstly like to point out that I truly believe that if a student wants to do well, they will, whether they attend a top-notch private school or a simple government school. I have taught students who would do well with a trained monkey at the front of the room, because they are self-motivated and also because that’s how the Victorian curriculum has been written (for senior students anyway) – all the resources are out there, and the teacher is simply the facilitator of the education. We must remember that a teacher must not spoon feed their students the information, but rather initiate the education and guide students through this.
PUBLIC Vs PRIVATE:
I have only ever worked in the public system, so I can’t comment on private schools and their funding. There have always been students that have excelled in my public school classes, but they are always competing with the private school students when it comes to resources and technology. This has always been frustrating.
MEDIOCRE TEACHERS:
Unfortunately, I have also worked with many ‘mediocre’ teachers and I simply pity them as they must fail to feel fulfilled by their vocation, they must feel empty and bored on a daily basis. It’s frustrating to hear teachers described as mediocre, because I know many teachers that are not mediocre. Everyone has been to school, everyone has had teachers and unfortunately, many people have come across some mediocre teachers. Is this why secondary school has been structured the way it has, so that as pupils, we will always be taught by many different teachers, throughout the day, the week and the years – good and bad?
A GREAT TEACHER:
I’d like to focus on the question posed – ‘what made the good ones great?’…speaking to students and from my own experiences as a student, the answer is always – someone who is fair, clear, who knows their content and is passionate about it, is organised, has a good sense of humour and someone who is strict. I don’t think it’s someone who gets a good ENTER score!
Nice blog! I reckon there is a bit too much duck shoving that goes on with government vs non-government schools. I agree every child needs the opportunity to attend school - plain and simple. But there needs to be some subsidy for both private and government schools. You can't just say well those parents who send their children to private are rolling in cash so they can pay the difference (the government subsidy).
ReplyDeleteThe weighting of funding appears to be evenly weighted i.e. more to government schools and less to private.
I don't believe there are inequalities, as all parents have a choice. Sure some may not have high paying jobs, some may be battlers but we all still have a choice. If you want to send your kids to a private school and you don't earn enough then perhaps those parents will put some money away well before their kids start school. Others may choose to make sacrifices, look for higher paying jobs etc. Those that can't afford private schools (I am one of them) have choices too. If their teacher isn't flash (mediocre) then I can choose to pay for a tutor, discuss concerns with teachers or do whatever else I can to help my kids get the best education they can etc.
I really agree with the last post. I'm not a teacher and never have been so apologies if I have a different take on things. If a student is self motivated I too think they will do well wherever they go to school. I went to a private school and you know I wasn't self motivated. I actually feel it was a waste of my parents money and I feel bad even now that I didn't take advantage of the opportunity I was provided with. My parents certainly were not wealthy and went without a great deal to send me to a private school. I didn't feel that way at the time but I suppose that's maturity.
In any event we all have choices, it's the choices the parents make which are important.
Just a few thoughts anyway!