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Gonski: what it is and why it's important
- Published_at:2013-05-21
- Category:Nonprofits & Activism
- Channel:getupaustralia
- tags:
- description: Gonski. It's the name that's been dominating headlines for months. But what exactly is the plan behind the man? We've teamed up with Jane Caro and Chris Bonnor, co-authors of 'What Makes a Good School', to explain why the Gonski Review represents the best pathway to a quality education for every Australian child. Join the campaign: http://www.getup.org.au/everychild Education is one generation's promise to the next. The expert panel on education chaired by businessman David Gonski has laid out a way for us to make good on that promise. It's common sense: by improving access to quality education for every Australian, our entire society stands to gain. But who really gives a Gonski? Turns out, most Australians do, including the vast majority of educators, parents and students in the know. For good reason, as our current system is in need of repair. You've probably heard comments from Opposition leader Tony Abbot and Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne, basically amounting to, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If only. Truth is, the Review uncovered some hard truths about a system that currently offers amazing choice for a select few, but enshrines inequity for many, many more -- limiting the potential of our most vulnerable children. The gap between our best and worst performing students is widening every year. In fact, inequality in Australia's schooling system is higher than in similar countries in the OECD, and far less equal than it should be: disadvantaged students are a full two years behind their peers. Research shows our education system as a whole is slipping behind other nations in the global economy. In 2000, Australia ranked second in the world for reading and scientific literacy, and third for maths. A further study in 2009 found Australian students had fallen to seventh in reading and scientific literacy, and thirteenth in maths. We were the only high-performing country to show a significant decline in reading literacy performance since 2000. The bottom line? Our current education system is creating winners and losers out of kids. Especially students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Indigenous children, children with disabilities, children who don't speak English as a first language and kids who live in remote areas. The "losers" in the unfair education lottery are the kids that have the most to gain from access to quality education. Right now, one in seven 15-year-olds lack the basic numeracy and literacy skills needed to secure employment. So now what? While addressing inequality and lifting the academic standards for every Australian child seems like a no brainer, the truth is reforms could be gone-ski unless we make it impossible for State Premiers and Tony Abbott to walk away. Mr Abbott has already said that he won't support it unless the other state and territory leaders get on board quickly. Let's get this landmark reform over the line. Sign and share this crucial petition today, as we gear up to rallies and further actions to hold the Coalition to the promise that they'll back Gonski in NSW if they win the next election: http://www.getup.org.au/everychild Access to a good education shouldn't be a lottery based on where you were born, where you live or how much your parents earn; and we have some work to do before an Australian education is once again a mark of quality for every child, and a point of pride for our nation. If our politicians don't capitalise on this once in a generation opportunity for lasting, transformative reform then we will continue our slide down the list of OECD countries and continue to enshrine inequality within our system. We can correct the course before it's too late. Show where you stand: funding better, more equitable education isn't a line item cost, it's an investment in our future. Thanks for signing on! The GetUp team
| ranked in date | views | likes | Comments | ranked in country (#position) |
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| 2013-05-23 | 3,885 | 14 | 5 |
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