Another point to mention is the failing of school systems not just the curriculm. Teachers, from my knowledge, arent even allowed to discipline the students anymore in fear of being prosecuted by parents or the school. Sure, you can give multiple detentions but what does the kid learn from that? Shouldnt there be harsher punishment for those who disrupt class? Im not saying beat the kid to black and blue but rather embarass them enough as to shame them not to do it again.

In a classroom environment of adolescents, hormones raging and all, I cant imagine a teacher actually being able to teach anything critical and have kids listen and learn.

Yes, I agree that the curriculum isnt teaching kids to think critically. Kids tend to be "brainwashed" by hollywood, television, music, etc and become disinterested and I think that the education system has been dumbed down inorder for the students to pass. Am I being too cycnical?

Therefore, for teachers to truly teach, there needs to be a level of discpline and respect rather than a different curriculum. Get control of the kids first! Let the parents get control of their kids! Stop letting parents interfere with school discipline.I know from personal experience no parent likes their kids being told off by teachers but sometimes they deserve it.

No chav you're not being cynical. These days schools don't want to fail kids because it's bad for their self esteem! It's pretty bad for anyones self esteem to be treated in such a patronising manner either.
Kids don't get discipline at home, they don't get it at school, and ultimately they don't get it from the courts either. Another example of the decline of our society.

Dear Paul,

You ask:
Why is Professor Sawyer depicted as “peddling political views” when Donnelly’s latest book was published by, and available online through, an overtly political group in the Menzies Research Centre?

Why have repeated attempts to publish comment, such as in “Letters to the Editor” in The Australian, about Donnelly’s attacks on AATE failed, and he is repeatedly given prominence?

Yes, my book was published by the Menzies Centre and it clearly argues from a political (and educational) perspective. Unlike Sawyer, who argues that English teachers have failed in teaching ex-students the 'right' way to vote, I do not argue that it is the role of the classroom teacher to point out the faults of the Howard Government.

Secondly, I've noticed quite a few letters in the OZ critical of my opinion piece. A couple from those close to the AATE.

If political questions are going to be discussed in class, both sides should be presented with equal competence. Then students can form their own opinions. As it is, Left wing teachers are trying to brainwash their students, [ a betrayal of trust] and I'm very pleased to see that one of them has found, that in this instance,this strategy has "come a gutser".

Is it any coincidence on the day that the PM and the Education Minister condemned Wayne Sawyer in Parliament, Mr Howard said (words to the effect) that for too long in this country we have denied people the right to say what they think?

Such prime ministerial double-speak attests to the validity of the central thrust of Sawyer's argument. A healthy democracy demands that the language of our politicians be closely and critically examined by citizens.

In light of developments on so many fronts over the last two years (the reigniting of abortion as a public issue, the grubby attacks on the integrity of Justice Michael Kirby, the public censoring of the federal police chief for remarks he made about the increased threat to Australians as a result of particpation in the war on terror, the removal of certain art works from Parliament House...)the PM's statement can only be understood as code for 'we'll silence those with whom we disagree, and trumpet loudly the views of those who think like us.

Hi Mark,

I wonder, just who is into censorship? After the editorial was posted for some months, after a bit of flack, the AATE has now taken the offending Wayne Sawyer editorial off the site. A free and open debate - I don't think so.