Australian Education: Uncovering the NAPLAN Surprise Charade

Why are we pretending to be surprised at NAPLAN results?

Neglected and under-resourced schools

The recent NAPLAN results have once again disappointed many, but they are not surprising. The most disadvantaged students in New South Wales attend neglected and under-resourced schools, where a significant proportion of the student cohort would be considered “hard-to-teach” and/or high needs. Additionally, one in five students has a learning disability. It is clear that without the necessary support and resources in schools and classrooms, improvement cannot be expected.

This is not a new problem; we have known about the disparities in education for years. The Gonski report highlighted the fact that it is harder to educate children in underfunded schools, while private schools continue to enjoy excessive funding. It is as if we are trapped in a cycle of doing the same thing and expecting a different result, as Albert Einstein famously defined madness.

Underfunding and understaffing in public schools

The underlying factors behind the low NAPLAN results are apparent when we examine the statistics. Twenty-five per cent of students have a disability or learning difficulty, two-thirds of whom attend public schools that are underfunded and understaffed. Moreover, over 50 per cent of Australian students come from non-English backgrounds, but funding cuts have resulted in fewer English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) support teachers and increased placement of these students in mainstream classes, limiting the support they need.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Australian classrooms are becoming more disruptive. Private schools continue to receive excessive funding, while public schools struggle to meet the educational needs of all students. The disparities in funding and resources exacerbate the already challenging task of teaching and learning.

The role of parents and communities

While it is vital to address the lack of support and resources in schools, it is also crucial to recognize the role that parents and communities play in students’ education. Public schools, even if adequately staffed and resourced, cannot bridge the widening gaps on their own. Teachers need the support and involvement of parents and communities to create a conducive learning environment. Students need role models, motivation, and support both at home and in their communities to improve.

However, it is disheartening that we are discussing increasing gaps between student groups while also witnessing instances where teachers are required to apologize to students for setting “improvement tasks” due to parental complaints. This lack of support and understanding puts additional stress on already overburdened teachers.

Editorial: Lobbyists still have too much influence in politics

The recent debates surrounding the closure of the Eraring power station reveal a larger problem within Australian politics – the influence of lobbyists. While the argument that extending the closure of the power station would be a stop-gap measure until enough renewables are available may hold some truth, there is a looming concern that the fossil fuel lobby still holds significant influence over government decisions.

Despite improvements in transparency around political donations, political parties still heavily depend on these donations, which inevitably leads to lobbyists having undue influence. With the urgency to address climate change and the Northern Hemisphere currently facing catastrophic wildfires, it is essential to remove the fossil fuel lobby’s power. One potential solution is to fund political parties from the public purse, effectively eliminating the need for donations and reducing the influence of lobbyists.

Philosophical Discussion: The cost of transitioning to renewable energy

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is a pressing issue, both economically and environmentally. Some argue that the rising cost of living is driving retail crime, leading to shoplifting and other criminal activities. However, it is essential to consider the larger picture and understand that retail crime is just one small factor in the larger transition.

While it may seem economically challenging in the short term, transitioning to renewable energy is critical for the future of our planet. Fossil fuels come with extraction, transport, and refinement costs, which are subject to market fluctuations. On the other hand, renewable energy sources like wind, sun, and water are essentially free once the necessary infrastructure is in place. Although there may be transitional issues, it would be economically unwise to ignore the long-term benefits of shifting to renewables.

Advice: Changes needed to save the planet and protect wildlife

The ongoing destruction of koala habitats and the increasing number of extinct animal species serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action. Quarantining areas where koalas live from development and logging is one solution to protect their habitats. If koalas become extinct, we will not have a second chance to save them or the other species facing extinction due to reckless human activities.

Furthermore, it is crucial to reconsider our housing rules and limit the number of investment properties eligible for negative gearing and capital gains tax benefits. This would help ensure that housing becomes accessible to all as a basic human right rather than a mere investment strategy.

In addition to these measures, we must draw inspiration from nature’s development process, which prioritizes resilience, sustainability, flexibility, and conditions-based evolution. To counteract our reckless growth, we must align our development practices with the principles that govern natural systems.

Lastly, it is essential for individuals and governments to prioritize the protection of marine life over recreational activities. The annual loss of some marine species should not take precedence over the lives of these creatures. Human activities, such as shark nets, not only fail to prevent shark attacks but also result in the senseless slaughter of many marine animals.

To save our planet and protect wildlife, we must prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. It is time for bold actions and strong leadership, rather than simply paying lip service to environmental commitments.