Just another disappointing sequel

When choosing a car, we consider the make, the model and the colour. We want to know if it’s 4WD, if it fits in with our lifestyle, our hobbies and interests. We’re going be driving our kids in it, so is it safe, does it have air conditioning, is their room for the dog, the pram and the shopping. And the list goes on. All these questions about a car, in which our kids may spend only a few hours a week for a few years until the lease expires.

We send our children to school for six hours a day, forty weeks a year, for thirteen years, and the government tells us we only need two pieces of information to make an informed decision.

Rather than this simplistic representation of what constitutes a quality school, we need to enhance teaching and learning across the board. We need to develop the concept of what education is, and importantly, what it could be for the children of the 21^st century. Furthermore we need genuine action, rather than bland politicking, from our government to ensure that ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status are no longer the pre-determinants of success or failure in school.

In order for this to happen, as Mr Garrett said, I hope we do see “parents, schools, the community, the media and others really start to have a deep discussion over the next months.” Just not about My School 2.0.