The sky is big, the sea is wet, and a vast majority of Australian parents are apathetic towards education. After two weeks, the sole comment comes from someone who only set foot in Queensland once when changing planes.

Not that it was any better in Tulse Hill – yes, it’s me again. Most people, and their parents, view school as something to be endured. You probably experienced greater parental enthusiasm in Nigeria.

This is how systems get created where pupils are made to feel busy with assignments in Outcomes-Based Education, which is much easier to administrate non-judgmentally. All must have prizes.

Last week in Kmart, I spotted calculators for 75c.

Best wishes to all,

Peter J Coffey.