Education Under Rudd

As the Labor leadership changed hands yesterday in Canberra the press swarmed all over Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard moments later in a press conference. Myself being a devoted supporter of the ALP, I couldn't help but take some time out from my usual schedule at school to read up on what was said. Interestingly Rudd made a number of comments about revitalising the manufacturing industry in Australia. This led me to the question: What would this mean for Education?

On the surface it this could possibly lead to an increase in funding for V.E.T courses in secondary schools as well as TAFE and technical colleges. Looking more closely, it would also mean a larger push to promote trade careers and apprenticeships for school-leavers.

The only problem with this however, is that currently, the trend shows that more and more secondary students are leaving school early to pick up an apprenticeship or move into a V.E.T course rather than go on to tertiary studies.

Of course we need skilled trade-people in our society. Of course any country needs skilled workers and quality manufacturers to keep the economy going, and yes of course not all students are built for a university education. However, and this is a big however: We can't sit idly by while numbers of university entrants out of our public schools suffer and more apprenticeships and TAFE courses are filled up. There can be only so many skilled workers who can take on a certain number of apprentices per year. So what other option is there for the school-leaver who doesn't qualify? Easy answer, lets open the mines up to them!

Yes that one saviour of the WA economy and driving force behind the rediculous house pricing in Perth: The iron ore industry! I'm sorry folks but the boom can only last so long and once it does students will be hearing the same ideophonic sound go off in their ears when they find out they've run out of options. (of course your future is never set when your young but it's good for kids to get a scare every once in a while).

So far in my short career of being a graduate teacher, I've met countless students who have got the serious potential and raw intelligence that just screams out for universities to feed them more and more. Alas despite potential, the enthusiasm and drive just isn't there (nor is there much family support) and therefore, sadly, they will not have the opportunity to go on to tertiary education.

I put the blame squarely on the 3 factors:

• Courses of study are poorly sold by teaching staff
• VET and TAFE are highly promoted
• No family support + rediculous amounts of $$$ for university courses

Although the Whitlam government of the 70's helped in establishing more access to universities for the working and middle class, the help has not extended into 2006. The average university graduate will be paying off their HECs debt at least 5 years after graduating, if they are lucky enough to even find employment.

It seems as if the drive towards a 'gold collar' working society has slowed to a crawl. Instead of taking advantage of ICT education and the brilliant new courses of study which have been developed here in Western Australia, the car, if I can borrow a quote from Kevin Rudd's tired rhetoric, 'Has taken a fork in the road'.

Mr Rudd, you are an intelligent man who has already proven great leadership and I believe you will become the next Prime Minister. However, when it comes to education please do not interfere. Howard has already imposed his control over the states, and if the revitalisation of Australia's manufacturing industry is to take place (which I do hope it does) then allow for the states to at least promote relevent courses for students, at least WA can't sell a trade career more than it already has.....I hope.