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Betsy -
submitted 22/10/2009
Wanting youth to shape their own future is a completely liberating idea and I think it's that freedom we should be embracing, yet within the education system, we're missing our target mega bad. The National Curriculum to be introduced in 2011 is incredibly rigid and goes against so many philosophies of learning that it's ridiculous. The curriculum established in the ACT is based on flexibility and nurturing passion rather than forcing it upon someone. It allows you to explore your interests and doesn't discriminate against them. It offers a naturalistic way of learning, where students can discover their true strengths and abilities as well as learn from each other, both year 11 and 12. This, in comparison to the rigid and stale philosophy in what will be our new national curriculum, makes it look like we're going straight down to the lowest common denominator and for the sake of what? Not educational liberation, that's for sure.
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Jericho Sayson -
submitted 22/10/2009
My vision for Australia in the future is that the young people of the nation now will lead this country to new ventures and new opportunites.
As a 15 year old young male adolescent, had a dream of being a success in the future. But as i have found, success is hard to achieve and somtimes be recognised for. Teenagers in today's society are unfortunatly not being given the recognition and the support by some parties of the Australian community. For example with the recent voyage of young Jessica Watson. Upon her leaving she was hampered by the media and unfortunatly higher bodies of her incredible quest to sail around the world. I, too, have people doubting me like, Jessica has. Yes, the doubt rubs into me. It makes me believe i can't do it. But i belive even more that it shouldn't stop me. What if i dream big and do not achieve my goals? What if Jessica doesn't make history? No great man/woman in history made history without people casting doubts and worries, though they prevailed over this with determination, strength of mind and their goals.
This is what i believe the Australian community should recognise in the young people of today. Yes we are strong minded, but we are also strongly driven. Without the support of the older generations we become less driven. That is what we need from the older generation. Support and understanding.
Because how are we suppose to stand up and become the next leaders of the future with doubt? I ask that to you Australia.How?
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Stephen -
submitted 23/10/2009
For this vision to be achieve, all young Australians need to have equal access to safe environments that is supportive and caring; an education system that empowers them, in particular the disadvantage and young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reach for the stars and achieve what was once unimaginable; providing a health care system that has a particular focus on young people, that address their needs such as appropriate mental health and primary health care services that are also culturally appropriate; engaging young people through sports, volunteering and community events will provide opportunities within the community that will allowing them to building on their capacity to actively contribute to society as well as improve their confidence and self-worth;
Just like any other Australians young people also want to be heard, they don’t won’t be told what to do or what is best for them, young people want to find out for themselves even if that means finding out the hard way.
For this vision to become reality we need to make sure that all young Australians have a life that is free from discrimination or persecution. A life were each young Australians has the same opportunities, choices and rights as others. This vision will mean including their family, friends and community and ensuring that every aspect of ones life is as important as the next.
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Susara -
submitted 24/10/2009
What role do you think the Australian Government should have in supporting young people to develop positively?
I believe strongly that in order to support the Australian youth,the Government NEEDS to stop young university students being in debt via HECS fees.It is just wrong that at the end of working tirelessly for three to four years young students have to pay back the Government a lot of money for helping improve this country's professionalism.How could this country run without Doctors,Nurses,Teachers,Scientists etc.It does not seem fair that tradies get paid whilist completing their chosen trade yet University students get nothing and then they have to pay back the Government a substantial amount of money.What ever happend to a FREE EDUCATION?
I am currently attending a rural school in Queensland and I have applied for a Bachleor of Primary Education even though I know that once I finish four years of extremely hard work and having to live off my part time job and move out of home, I will simply be put on a contract by Education Queensland and then have that contract terminated just before the Summer holidays so I have to work over Christmas in a job that I should not have to do.I also know that many intelligent students at my school will not be able to attend university because they can't afford to move and they have to get a job or jobs to support their families.If I could ask the Government one question it's why do youth have to suffer to benefit Australia?
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James -
submitted 26/10/2009
In putting together a National Strategy for Young Australians, the success of the National Chaplaincy Program should be considered, so the the spiritual needs of young Australians are not neglected. Numerous government and private schools have benefitted immensely from this program, in which many people from local communities have given their time primarily because of the interest in and concern for the wellbeing of young people. The significance and influence of spiritual worldview formation should not be underestimated when considering issues affecting young people and their future contribution to society. Therefore school chapliancy should be included in the long term strategy.
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James -
submitted 26/10/2009
These goals should be pursued wholistically - focussing not just on education, career pathways, participation and crime prevention, but on enabling and facilitating young people in the formation of robust and authentic worldviews - an understanding of the social, physical and spiritual dynamics of what makes up a person. The spiritual dimension has largely been neglected in recent times, especially in our multicultural environment where acknowledging the diverse spiritual backgrounds of our young people has not always been helpful in producing a harmonious community. A key part of exploring this would be to consider incorporating the National Chaplaincy Program into the strategy, and to determine which of the goals this would fit with - most likely the second: "enabling young Australians to accept full responsibility of their lives, their actions and their behaviours". The current Chaplaincy Program has already significantly contributed in moving towards this goal in the lives of individual students and in school communities.
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Anonymous -
submitted 26/10/2009
our young people have access to really inappropriate infomation from well-meaning adults within the school system- the example i give is of the chaplaincy service, which is not regulated and the majority of them are scouting for recruits.They are also predominantly christian, which is not reflective of our communities.
Give our young people access to quality, well trained people- the school based youth health nurse program ( QLD one is best)- offers a fantastic service to young people, yet it is poorly funded and is not funded for growth or change. The dedicated staff support young people with child protection issues, family issues as well as trying to work accross two government departments. These nurses are pure gold! and offer real solutions for the young people- FUND THEM PROPERLY!
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Anonymous -
submitted 26/10/2009
there is enough evidence collected for the govt to see that the School Based Youth Health nurse Porgram is a vital component for supporting our young people in school. The qld model is 10 year old now and these nurses play a tremendous supporting role for our young people. They are not biased, they give the facts and have to deal with some horrendous situations ( from child protection to supporting a student who has lost a relative ). Yet the program is not funded for growth or change, the nurses have no budget and have to do any programming on the generousity of their school. There is always a sturggle to give new schools the equitable access that all other state high schools have. This program ( in its current state) would be brilliant if expanded into private and independent schools as well. Why should they miss out?
This program needs a closer look at and appropriate funding allocated to it. These nurses have annual training in many differnet areas - done by experts in the field- they work autonomously within schools and do a fantastic job in bringing the two departments together, as well as all the wonderful work they do with the students, staff and wider school community. They work on a harm minimisation framework, only utilise evidence based programs and truly are a wonderful and much needed addition to our schools. Thank you
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Anonymous -
submitted 26/10/2009
sometimes words get in the way of visions. when we were looking for a new house what we said to each other seemed to clash at times - then we stopped and just drew our vision and talked about it afterwards. we had so much in common it was great, and we found these pictures way after we'd moved in and the house was so much like we imagined! learning how to use skills like this in school, instead of using computers even in the kindergarten, would give lots of us better skills for sharing with each other. taking our ideas outside to play with recycling items in the playground to make temporary, or even more permanent, structures to play in for a while would improve our ability to follow through instead of staying in our heads all the time. imagine how our neighbourhoods could be with shared gardens of fruit and veges instead of blocked off from each other by fences. how can we get together with friends and their families to build mini-villages of a few houses sharing together - that would cut the carbon footprint and improve mental and social health.
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Anonymous -
submitted 27/10/2009
I agree and feel it a must with the free education and the need offer more incentive for all our kids (not just the indiginous) to become trade qualified.
There also needs to be something put in place by the education system/governments to back up the out of school suspensions as many of these kids like the idea of not having to go to school and hang around the steets creating havoc while mum and dad are at work.