Lost in a long hunt for learning
EDUCATION GAP
SARAH Day’s excellent but depressing article about her more-than-four-month long and futile attempt to enrol matureage friends into Tasmania’s colleges concludes that “a gap exists that used not to be there” (Talking Point, May 18).
It could describe any number of our public services and should be required reading for all government ministers and heads of agencies. What is also depressing is the description of an organisational culture where initiative is stifled by avoidance and fear of doing the wrong thing. More than two decades ago, that would have more accurately described the Soviet Union, not Tasmania. I want my old state back. vacancies created due to poor skill levels.
The social impact of this is taking its toll financially and creating further impact on the health system. Having the Tasmanian people adept with the three Rs should be a major priority in the minds of our government not football.
University option
IN response to Sarah Day’s article on looking for pathways to university for two young friends, I suggest she revisit the option of the University of Tasmania’s University Preparation Program.
If she is looking at year 11/12 equivalent standard, then this program is more than suitable, and frequently assists students with even lower levels of educational attainment. Further, it is a common pathway for students from refugee backgrounds.
The program is HECS fee-free, available full-time or part-time, online or faceto-face and is suitable for most adults wanting a supportive pathway to university.
Distressing
I FELT very distressed and sad when I read Sarah Day’s Talking Point. I cannot believe that in this day and age there is absolutely nowhere that an adult can study year 11 and 12 in Tasmania.
In the 1990s and early 2000s Adult Literacy as part of Adult Education offered Grade 10 and 11 English and Maths exclusively for adults. It was a very successful A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. program with students building confidence and study skills in a small positive and caring environment. This suited adults very well and many went on to TAFE Certificate and Diploma courses. Some went on to university.
Unfortunately when Adult Literacy became part of TAFE, Tasmanian Certificate of Education courses were no longer seen as part of vocational education and were stopped. With Tasmania’s low literacy and numeracy levels, It is an absolute necessity that adults are able to access education and have a second chance at learning. This will enable them to actively participate in employment and society.
Setting examples
I HAVE no doubt that the latest Gonski recommendations will get lots of applause, from some well meaning people. The question I ask is: What chances are there for meaningful improvement to our present failed approach?
If history, and the present inquiry into financial institutions, is anything to go by the answer must be little if any. It is not just education and intelligence that matters, it is just as much about integrity. Insight into what makes us a socially responsible citizen, rather than a self-indulgent individual, would be a good place to start. And that cannot be left to formal education.
As someone said: The best advice is a good example. The present example set by so many of the influential in my society is simply not good enough.
Sales seem wrong
IT seems morally wrong that land and funds given by the community to the church for a building and cemetery to become established should now be allowed to be sold against that community’s wishes. It would put in doubt that in future such gifts will be given.
Free city bus brilliant idea
BRILLIANT idea, Phil Guest (“Free city bus loop”, Letters, May 22). Launceston has a commuter-run River Explorer and City Explorer called Tiger Bus. Seems like Hobart just doesn’t want to implement these services. Hobart has a privately run tourist bus, which I can’t afford to use. Come on Hobart, it is 2018!
Re-name Hobart
WITH “Hobart Town” rapidly losing its olde-worlde charm maybe we should consider a more appropriate name to reflect current times. How about “UTAS”?
Orange sticker mess
IS Hobart City Council above its own littering laws? Parking inspectors are using their little orange stickers, that they have for sticking parking fines to car windscreens, to mark car wheels instead of chalk. When the car drives off these stickers then end up on the road, in the gutter, down the stormwater drains and ultimately in our waterways.