Page 186 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 1991
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Where have we gone in education? What has happened to education? Can he say or put out a report saying, "We have done these wonderful things"?
Mr Humphries: Yes.
MR WOOD: Well, I would like to hear it. I do not see evidence of it. All I can see is the negative sides - the confrontation, the disruption; all those negative aspects.
The Minister, I know, has followed my comment, from time to time, that we need to attend very closely to what is happening in high schools. Maybe he can come into this chamber one day and make a ministerial statement - let me encourage him to do so - and tell us about progress in high schools, progress based on the various reports, various sensible reports, that have looked at the problems facing our high schools.
There is a great deal in respect of which he could show leadership in the sense of promoting curriculum changes - progress across a whole range of options. Where is that? We have not seen it because we have been bogged down on other matters. What about student alienation? There may be less here than in other systems, because of the system we have constructed; nevertheless, that is a problem that our schools constantly face and with which our teachers struggle in many instances.
There has been a great focus recently on the teaching service, a focus that needs greater attention. But what has the Minister had to say about that? What has he had to say about the morale of teachers, the stress faced by teachers, and their professional development? We need to do a great deal in this area, but nowhere have we seen any leadership from this Minister.
On other matters too, can I suggest to you that we need to do more to develop further the literary talents of our young people. They are so capable. We could do a great deal without any great amount of money. It is not a money matter. Let us see some encouragement given to our system. Let us encourage their creative abilities. The whole field of education is there, Mr Humphries, for you to promote, to encourage. But none of that has happened in the last 15 months since you first became Minister. It has only been a time of disputation and confrontation. This is why I say that I regret the mark that he has put on this system. It is entirely negative. Let us get a change. Let us make 1991 a better year for education. If we can look to the positive, I will certainly be playing my part in this chamber.
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