Put schools in parents’ care: Nelson
Think about it. Can you see any problems with this? Take the word “equity” for starters… Are all communities well placed to fulfil this particular fantasy? By all means continue what is happening, and involve parents and the community even more than we do now, but really, really think this through.
Kim Beazley, on the other hand, must have read a letter I wrote to The Sydney Morning Herald in 1968 or 1969, where I advocated pretty much what he is advocating now. And the Australian Capital Territory has been actually doing this for thirty years!
At the completion of high school in Year 10, students may proceed to secondary college. Enrolment for secondary colleges commence in August of each year. Secondary colleges cater for Years 11 & 12 and there is a very high retention rate from Year 10 to Years 11 & 12.
Students are given guidance in arranging courses of study that will best prepare them for careers and further education. At the same time they are expected to make decisions for themselves, to develop maturity and judgment and to set and achieve realistic goals. To succeed they must organise themselves effectively and work hard.
Colleges have proved to be very effective in preparing young people for both work and tertiary education.
Each college develops its own range of courses. These are accredited by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies. The Board also ensures that courses leading to tertiary entrance qualifications will meet the requirements of tertiary institutions throughout Australia.
No subjects are compulsory in secondary colleges. However, students are encouraged to choose courses from all areas of the curriculum to develop a comprehensive range of knowledge and skills.
They also had the good sense to abolish the HSC, and guess what: it works!
