The Wire

Politician’s bank on the electorate’s short memory. It was only last year John Howard was urging the youth to consider a trade apprenticeship in favour of completing year twelve. Now in 2007, the coalition is championing a reenergised and standardised national school system. Carrying on from the work of Brendan Nelson, Federal Education minister Julie Bishop has indicated that she’s serious about a national curriculum. And Labor isn’t opposed. What’s interesting however is that that one of the most outspoken critics of Australia’s education system, Dr Kevin Donnelly, has admitted the government’s plan is vague and has urged caution when considering a national curriculum.