Look at the world our high-school graduates are going into: a world of WorkChoices, a world where the best public infrastructure is in eastern Sydney, while the west pays $1.40 a litre to drive on toll roads; a world where state and federal governments are philosophically supportive of middle-class parents "right" to spare no expense in educating their children. Those striving for social mobility are going to have to look well beyond the classroom if they wish to achieve it.
So long as Australians continue to ignore the flawed assumptions behind the cherished myths of higher education and social mobility, more and more children will earn degrees that are worth less and less, and more and more working-class children will finish their HSC, before duly taking up the place society assigns them - at the bottom of the ladder.
As for solutions, I can only propose that we begin with an honest recognition of the problem. Right now there is too much effort going into "fixing" education, when it is our assumptions that are broken.
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What hope is there for social mobility in such an environment?
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About the Author
Mercurius Goldstein is Head Teacher at an International School and is retained as a consultant at The University of Sydney as a teacher educator for visiting English language teachers. He is a recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Graduate award from the Australian College of Educators, holding the Bachelor of Education (Hons.1st Class) from The University of Sydney. He teaches Japanese language and ESL. These views are his own.
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