«a better future lies in education, and not in some pack-drill in a boot camp!»
Yuyutsu,
That's been the catch-cry for longer than than anyone can remember yet when will we get to see the proof ?
Less than a handful of "educated" are actually worth half the salaries they're on. The majority are mere hangers-on recalcitrants biting the hands that feed them. To enlighten young misguided people re the responsibilities of daily life is not a sacrifice as you like to portray it.
Those who are not that fortunate not to have been misguided by the likes of you & Paul do not object to do their part in society. They realise that the likes of you two need to be made to understand that merit accounts for way more than some indoctrinated me, me mentality ! These few smart young people will not shy from helping to spread the sense of responsibility, They'll embrace the opportunity to counter the opportunistic mentality you & Paul et al are trying to instil..
As I keep saying, a well-functioning society is a symbiosis ! If you have evidence to the contrary please tell. Tell, where have more people sacrificed their lives, in well run Nations or in the ones you want us to live in ?

Hi Yuyutsu,

I believe education is a tool that improves ones aspiration to "self happiness". I suggest exploring the teachings of Buddha as to what fulfilment in life really means. The difference between Indy, and I suspect you, and myself is the notion that the state, and contributing to the betterment of the state as a whole is more important than the happiness of the individual. I don't support anyone who through selfishness diminishes the happiness of others. First and foremost Indy wants to "punish" youth (he wont admit it) for what he perceives as their short comings. His notion is based on his own self and not others.

Speaking of "education", a report has been released paving the way for even more idiots to attend university to be brainwashed. Albanese is trying to emulate his hero, Whitlam, who wanted everyone to go to university free of charge. Albanese knows that won't wash , so he is looking at all sorts of costly-to-the-taxpayer ways of getting 80% of Australians tertiary brainwashed by 2050, including people identifying as underprivileged, the poor, the dumb. Glad I won't be around then.

"Education" has been the catch-cry for yonks yet where is the evidence of any success ?
Whatever progress has been made is largely by ordinary people's tinkering in back sheds. Yes, there are great examples of Uni research but generally speaking, the costs are always a thousandfold against benefit for the average citizen. The only winners are those in Govt & Academia where their merit is not questioned hence the immoral salaries for many non-contributors. The average citizen gets fleeced to the last Cent as always even though many are of far greater value to society than these experts.

Associate Professor of education policy and the
future of schooling at the University of Melbourne
Glenn C. Savage writes - "The report is clear that
our schools are riddled with inequalities that must
be urgently addresses to tackle entrenched and
compounding disadvantage."

He says that "Schools must be properly funded and
disadvantaged schools need extra support."

He also adds that " While it's good that ministers have
committed to working together to increase all schools to
100% funding under the Gonski model, we should remember
that this base-level is the absolute minimum that we should
aspire towards and some schools need much more."

The professor wants a much more bolder agenda to be
implemented.

He claims that: "If we fail to implement bolder measures
we will continue to fall behind to performing nations like
Singapore and Canada which don't shy away from delivering
better and fairer elements of a great education."

He says that "Without a more ambitious agenda Australia risks
yet another decade of tinkering around the edges and does
not address the root causes of our educational challenges."

The Professor has raised some valid points. Hopefully
something positive will come out of all this for the
disadvantaged youngsters - living in disadvantaged areas
and regional parts of the country.

At least the ministers will be working together to achieve
something positive. I watched the Minister for Education
being interviewed on the "Insiders," on Sunday. He sounded
positive and has high hopes that they will succeed in
addressing the complex issues.

Glenn C. Savage writes
Foxy,
The next Professor Peter Ridd ?