Archived News for Education Sector Professionals - August, 2012
The ongoing and increasingly public debate over TAFE funding in Victoria has descended into an unseemly brawl, with thousands of teachers descending on Central Melbourne to protest the cuts.
The $300 million cuts to the state's TAFE sector sparked across the sector, with the Public Service Union recently estimating that cuts across the broader education sector could result in as many as 950 jobs being lost, with the Australian Education Union (AEU) saying that figure could go as high as 2,000.
The State Government has defended its education record, saying that contrary to what the AEU argued, the country's TAFE funding has actually increased over the 2011-12 budget.
Australian universities shine on global stage
Australian Universities have taken a larger stake of the world’s top 500 universities, with five universities taking top 100 places.
ACARA releases business and economics curriculum draft paper
The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has released a draft paper outlining proposed developments of the Australian Curriculum for the teaching of business and economics.
ANU opens new research centre
The Australian National University (ANU) has opened the final stage of The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR).
Agreement to form teacher performance reviews
A new agreement reached between Federal and State Education Ministers will see a annual performance review of the country's teachers.
Government announces NBN education initiatives
The Federal Government has awarded $27 million to 12 projects under the new NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services Program, which aims to integrate the use of the National Broadband Network into schools to enhance education and training outcomes for students.
Government launches financial literacy teaching resource
The Federal Government has launched its new MoneySmart Teaching Primary Package, aimed at helping young Australian students become more confident, informed and responsible financial consumers.
Simulation facility opens in Melbourne
An Australian first building and construction simulation facility has opened in South Melbourne, which is expected to be able to train up to 7,000 building and construction industry professionals and students a year.
Slash non-socially benefitial subisides urges report
An unclear contribution to broader society and a generally strong private result means graduates should pay more for their courses, according to a report released by the Grattan Institute.
Flinders Uni to launch Tonsley Park centre
Flinders University has announced it will establish a teaching and research centre at South Australia’s new advanced manufacturing hub in Adelaide’s Tonsley Park.
Queensland announces Training Award finalists
Queensland Minister for Education, Training and Employment, John-Paul. Langbroek, has announced the finalists for the 51st annual Queensland Training Awards.
IBSA seeks new directors
Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA), one of eleven Industry Skills Councils authorized by the Australian Government to provide a voice on vocational education and training issues, is seeking to appoint new board directors.
$21m project targets Western Sydney university participation
A new partnership between the Federal Government and Sydney universities aims boost the number of students from Greater Western Sydney going to university.
Protests build agains Victorian TAFE cuts
Education unions are continuing a campaign against the Victorian Government’s plans to cut nearly $300 million from the state’s 18 TAFE institutes.
A protest rally was jointly organised by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) Victorian Division and the Australian Education Union (AEU) in central Melbourne on Thursday 2 August.
Colin Long, NTEU Victorian President, said that more details were emerging daily about the ramifications including job losses, a reduction in courses and increased fees. He said RMIT’s TAFE is slated to lose $20 million of its public funding, with over 150 jobs to go.
“RMIT started life as a ‘workingman’s’ college. These cuts are an attack on its fundamental purpose. They’re bad news for students, bad news for staff and bad, bad news for the future of Victoria.”
Yesterday’s rally was the fourth in a series of protests against the TAFE cuts being organised across Melbourne, culminating in a mass rally on Thursday, August 16 at the State Library.
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