In a major speech at Melbourne University in Jan 2007, Kevin Rudd then Opposition Leader cast education as an economic policy. He made the case that Australia's future wealth lies in training a more productive workforce, and that the economy could be boosted if more people stayed in education or training for longer.
To read or listen to Kevin Rudd's January 2007 speech click here
Sir Ken Robinson, a leading UK thinker on education, creativity and innovation, interviewed recently for the ABC TV’s 7.30 Report, says that most education systems around the world including Australia’s, are still modelled on the needs of the industrial age. “People achieve their best when they firstly tune into their natural aptitudes.“
To read a transcript of Sir Ken Robinson's interview click here
In April, federal, state and territory education ministers confirmed that the arts would be included on the national curriculum. At the time Arts Minister Peter Garrett elaborated further by saying, "Creativity, interpretation, innovation and cultural understanding are all sought-after skills for new and emerging industries in the 21st century. Arts education provides students with the tools to develop these skills."
To read the media release in April from Arts Minister Peter Garrett click here
- Have your say. What and how do you think we need to learn at school and beyond?
- Contribute to the discussion by clicking on the 'add comment' text at the bottom of the screen. To do this you must be a logged into www.visualarts.net.au. To login click on the light grey 'login' text at the bottom of the screen. If you are not a registered user of visualarts.net.au click on the light grey 'register' text at the bottom of the screen.
