Nationbuild - Education

Education is critically important to the sustainment of our civilisation, as it is education that is the principal mechanism through which the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of humanity is passed on to future generations. And education is only going to increase in its importance in the future with the rapid onset of the 'knowledge' economy. More and more, the overall well-being and prosperity of nations is going to be determined not by their stock of physical capital, but rather by their stock of human capital. For this reason, it is important that Australia seeks to lead the world in producing the best educated people we possibly can.

Schools need a renewed focus on literacy and numeracy. Parents need to be given more choice over what kind of educational institution they would like to see their children attend. Our higher education institutions need to become more efficient and productive. They also need to be better funded. Given the already existing tightness of government budgets, more thought must be given to alternatives to government-only provision of funding. Australia should also seek to have a world-class vocational education and training system that gives only the very best of opportunities to those who would like to pursue careers in trade-based professions. Whether a young person wishes to pursue a career as a teacher, doctor, hairdresser or carpenter, there needs to be equity in the funding of the learning process.

downloadable documents

[30k] Liberal Education and the Purpose of Schooling, by Dr Kevin Donnelly

[10k] Civics and Citizenship, by Dr Kevin Donnelly