The recent debates regarding the various states education systems have been mostly centered upon the issue of funding between the private schools and the public schools, and of course, the funding cuts to most public schools by all the state governments.
One issue that should be addressed however is the Victorian V.C.E and the pathway into university, for either school leavers or mature age students. I would also apply this argument for all the state systems as well, including the H.S.C.
The V.C.E in Victoria is stressful and difficult for our young people, and very difficult for the adults, completing V.C.E courses at Tafe. (Which is the exact same program as in the state high schools, except these programs are for persons over the age of 18).
The V.C.E has become nothing more then a ‘’Meat Market’’ with Victorian Universities basically looking for the best students ‘’worthy of attending their Universities’’ with the rest to go elsewhere.
What I mean by this is that universities are in fact not open to all students with various needs or averages, as they claim; they are interested only in the most highly conditioned programmed students that will continue the particular philosophy and beliefs, of the universities that are being applied for.
If a student is below this expectation then they are left to study low regarded courses or useless Tafe courses that will not enhance their employment prospects.
Why?
Because their enter score is not high enough and the Universities in Victoria have implemented the highest and ridicules enter scores that a student needs to enter any courses in the first place.
This is called social divide and it is aimed at the next generation, at their starting point.
Finally, Australian universities claim that they are open to mature age students. I find, based on my own experience of observation, that this may not be the case. Take a walk on a major university campus and see for yourself, there is not a great argument for an increase in mature age students.

Our education system is becoming run down primarily because of overall funding cuts, or at least declining per-capita funding as the number of students rapidly increases.

This is leading to all sorts of problems as schools, universities and other institutions are forced to cut corners and concentrate on securing funding, not least from overseas students for universities, rather than on upholding a high quality of education. Indeed, there is pressure to give passes and degrees to students who have achieved a lower level of competence, which would prevously have seen them fail.

This is where my favourite theme comes into the picture - continuous rapid population growth. This rapid growth means that the money that is being spent on education is very largely just going into trying (and failing) to keep up the same level of education to ever-more people, rather than to make significant improvements for the existing populace.

So I implore everyone who is concerned about the declining quality of our education regime to put a fair portion of their energies into lobbying for a much-reduced immigration rate and a stabilisation of our population, so that we can have a chance of actually improving education, instead of forever battling to keep up with the continuously rapidly increasing demand for education services.

Dear Ludwig,
Gods word is truth and that is nonnegotiable. Rebelous nature causes all sorts of problems. The talkfest at runnemede produced the Great Charter on human rights and responsibilitys. Today we think that we are to inteligent to follow the makers directions for we are The Smart State and as we forget natural law and replace it with rebelious nonsence and life gets very complicated. The deeper you get into the mud the harder it is to see the way out. Education without a teachable heart and "Truth" is only brainwashing in wrong thinking. The truth you know and live by sets you free. Pride causes the fall. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Religion is not Truth but the traditions of rebelous man. Christianity is relationship and freedom not does and don'ts.