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Two perspectives from the Business Council of Australia in the last month around the future challenges for the Australian education system .
1. Australia’s best teachers should be paid almost $130,000 as a key step in recognising their value to society and strengthening the teaching profession, a new BCA paper says.
The paper also recommends creating two new levels of teacher certification beyond initial registration, to allow the best teachers to be recognised as ‘accomplished’ and ‘leading’, as part of a much needed overhaul of remuneration.
The BCA today launched its new paper Teaching Talent: The Best Teachers For Australia’s Classrooms, which calls for a five-point plan to recognise outstanding teachers and to lift the standard of teaching in Australian classrooms.
“Teachers are a key to unlocking our nation’s economic and social potential, but their contribution to society is being greatly undervalued,” the Chair of the BCA’s Education, Skills and Innovation Task Force, Hutch Ranck, said.
“The quality of learning by our children is critical in ensuring Australia has the skills and knowledge required to meet its future challenges, and quality and effectiveness of classroom teachers are the most important influences on effective learning.
 Business Council of Australia
2 . Future prosperity rests on the success of the school system, writes Angus James.
The most important resource for businesses in the 21st century is our people. If, as a nation, we are to continue to improve our standard of living, then education – as the facilitator of human capital – must be included among our highest priorities.
Education is not an isolated process that takes place during certain years of one's life in particular institutions. Rather, I see it as a continuum whereby individuals are "students" throughout their lives as they continue to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to their personal needs, work aspirations, their communities and ultimately, the country as a whole.
The school system is the foundation of this learning continuum and should have as its aim the creation of the best learning environment possible for all students. Every individual – no matter what their background – ought to be able to finish school with the knowledge and skills that will give them real opportunities to choose a rewarding career and to fully participate in the life of their local community.
By Angus James
Chief Executive of ABN Amro
BCA Board Member
Member, BCA Education Skills and Innovation Task Force
The Australian Financial Review
30 April 2008
Posted by Bill Coppinger on 26 May 2008; 3:21:43 PM
from the Regional Economies dept.
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Monday, May 26, 2008
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