Education Department South Australia
At the last election Kevin Rudd promised computers for all year 9 through 12 students and also a laptop scheme. At the time Alex Robson and I thought the scheme was underfunded but we got shouted down. It was always part of the Education revolution that computers would be used at school and at home. Here is Kevin Rudd at the 2007 Labor campaign launch.
The final step in the broadband revolution is to link school networks to students at home. For some students, this happens already. However for many, it doesn’t.
And one of the purposes of Labor’s Education Tax Refund is to encourage parents to invest in computers and internet connections at home. Because Labor understands that in the 21st century, information technology is not just a key subject to learn, it is now the key to learning all subjects.
Okay – so what’s happening on the ground? Schools have been provided with laptops. Now just to remind ourselves, remember that laptops are designed to be easily portable unlike desktops that cannot be easily transported to and from home.
After Labor promised to provide access to a computer for every child from Year 9 to Year 12 at the last election, it has emerged that a public school in South Australia, Seaford 6-12 School, is charging a $365-a-year fee to allow students to take the taxpayer-funded computers home.
That’s not the worst of it.
A PUBLIC school is asking parents to pay up to $1460 to lease computers provided under Kevin Rudd’s digital schools plan, while another is urging parents to buy the Apple Mac laptops their child has used for $1200.
While this has the stench of broken promise written all over it.
Another South Australian school, Willunga High School, is urging parents to spend $1200 upfront to lease Apple Mac computers. Parents are being told that, although the offer is “absolutely voluntary”, being able to use computers is “as important in today’s society as being able to read and write”.
Well yes – that’s exactly what Rudd said at the last election.
Mr Howard seems to believe that providing our young people with computers is exotic. Mr Howard just doesn’t get it. Around the rest of the world, providing young people with computers isn’t exotic – it’s mainstream.
It’s not just Mr Howard who doesn’t get it. School kids haven’t got their computers either.
* School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy- Total remuneration package: $83K - $98K
- Full-time, continuing (Academic Level B) position
The School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and research active individual within the discipline of Psychology.
The School is a leader in community engagement activities and is committed to delivering high quality teaching and research outcomes, with a focus on the continuous development and maintenance of knowledge and skills.
You will be responsible for the delivery and coordination of courses within the Bachelor of Psychological Science and the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Programs. You will also conduct teaching and related activities, engage in research and consult with students, as part of the teaching team.
To be successful in the role, you will have a record of scholarly achievement and must be eligible for membership in the Australian Psychological Society.
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Kurt Lushington, Associate Head of School:
+61 8 8302 2334
kurt.lushington@unisa.edu.au
For further details, including the position description, selection criteria and application lodgement details, please visit:
http://www.unisa.edu.au/workingatunisa
Applications close: 9.00am, Monday, 15 February, 2010.
