to me, there's an underbelly in Australia that has no value on education at all - aside from considering it as job training.
One sees it all the time - jokes, comments etc about classical education
eg.
'who needs it' 'why do I need algebra, I never use it' --------- 'history, what's past is past, nothing we can do about it' 'why would I need geography as a plumber'
these are all real examples or similar of a cultural distain for a real and classical education.
Unfortunately entirely misplaced ignorance - for instance - 'I never use algebra'
well, in summary --------------- bollocks. Everyone uses it - every day.
If one cooks and uses recipes at all - one uses algebra
If one works out one's fuel milage - one is using algebra
If one is planning a trip and working times and distance - that's algebra
If one is painting the house - how much paint do I need - algebra
etc etc
It is no surprise that the biggest doers in history - all had classical educations. The vast majority of our greatest discoveries in science ------- came from some kind of philosophical base or thinking.
But, here we are in Australia --------- 'who needs that stuff like philosophy?'
well the answer is --------- people and nations that advance. If one wants to stay in the boonies and not progress -
then have the beliefs and culture of most aussies about education - I only need to know enough to get a job
and from that base - IMO --------- comes the political basis of education policies
