"It's dead simple, Australia's public education sector has been progressively starved of resources for at least twenty years now as federal governments poured taxpayers' money instead into 'private schools' [~33% of students now attend exclusive, taxpayer-funded 'private schools']."
I disagree there --
1. I do not think that it's dead simple
2. you infer or state that it's a one problem issue - (the above)
whilst I have zero argument with you that the issue you raise is a factor - and, a major factor, IMO, the problems we have in Oz go a lot deeper and even more basic than that.
Where I am atm - there is constant discussion on the behavioural ant attitudinal differences between children from Oz, UK, USA in comparison to the behaviour and attitude of French children.
It stands out like a beacon. One doesn't need to do any grand lengthy studies on it - all one has to do is to walk any street in Oz or UK or US where there are kids - or on a beach - and, do the ditto in France.
I would also personally throw in a few other nations as well - Vietnam and I suspect Japan, and probably Finland would be a good comparison.
Yes, there are massive problems with the funding of public schools etc. - but, the, shall we say - customer base is entirely different - and, to me - unless there is a major attitudinal change in children in Oz, UK and America - then - I doubt if it will make a bean of difference what other changes are made.
Now - the attitude and behaviour is not the fault of children - children are moulded, they don't come out of the box already formed --------------- so, society and parents have to change - and, I'm afraid, that is beyond me to see how it can be changed.
There is something very very wrong in Oz, UK and America going on in society and at home - until that's fixed ------------ I don't think it matters much what else we do
