Otokonoko,
I have regular contact with some students in a number of other countries, and I am still surprised at how advanced they are, and this has been noted by university lecturers also.

To do many tasks, there are set exams to get the tickets necessary to do the task. Right now I have to carry three tickets on me at all times when I go onto a worksite.

If I do not have those tickets, I cannot perform certain tasks or operate certain equipment, and I can also be fined if I am operating equipment or doing tasks without those tickets on me.

If people cannot adequately read and write, or they do not have adequate numeracy skills, they will not be able to pass the exams to get the tickets, and some of these exams require 100% pass mark (or no mistakes).

That is the reality in the workplace, but the reality in the classroom is becoming totally different to the reality in the workplace.

Interesting observations. Why were they directed at me? They had absolutely nothing to do with my own comments.

Otokonoko,

The situation is quite simple.

If there are few people earning much money, there are few people paying much tax, and less money can go to anyone who receives income from the taxpayer.

If there almost 1/3 of Australians “don't have the reading, writing or numeracy skills to undertake training for trade or professional jobs”, there are few people paying much tax, and less money can go to anyone who receives income from the taxpayer.

So unless teachers can reduce the 1/3 of Australians who “don't have the reading, writing or numeracy skills to undertake training for trade or professional jobs”, there are few people paying much tax, and less money can go to teachers who receive income from the taxpayer.

Now the important point is that unless teachers can reduce the 1/3 of Australians who “don't have the reading, writing or numeracy skills to undertake training for trade or professional jobs”, there are few people paying much tax, and less money can go to teachers who receive income from the taxpayer.

In other words, unless teachers can reduce the 1/3 of Australians who “don't have the reading, writing or numeracy skills to undertake training for trade or professional jobs”, there are few people paying much tax, and TEACHERS WILL RECEIVE LESS MONEY.