The Howard decade

ANGELO GAVRRIELATOS critiques John Howard's decade as PM.

In his address to the National Press Club on January 25 Prime Minister John Howard expressed a number of concerns about the teaching of Australian history. He said that Australian history "is taught without any sense of structured narrative". This narrative provides an overview of his decade in office, outlining the impact of Howard Government policies on areas of interest and concern to teachers. I wonder whether it will be "questioned or repudiated" by the PM?

• School education Aimed at accelerating the flow of students from public schools to private schools, between 2005 and 2008 the Howard Government will hand over 73.7 per cent of federal government recurrent funding to private schools which enrol 32 per cent of students. This obscene level of funding best represents the Howard Government's extreme attack on public education, the crucible within which Australian democracy was formed and upon which a vibrant, socially cohesive future is dependent.
• TAFE Despite a serious national skills shortage, the Howard Government continues to under-fund TAFE. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that 34, 200 people were unable to gain a place at TAFE in 2005. Since 1998 300,000 people have been turned away. Since 1997 the Howard Government has cut TAFE funding by 26 per cent in real terms.
• Aboriginal education The Howard Government has systematically demolished all structures of indigenous self determination as they relate to education. In particular the disbanding of Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness (ASSPA) committees has resulted in further alienating Aboriginal communities from school decision making processes, and undermining the educational well-being of Aboriginal students
• Non English speaking background migrant and refugee students In his statement on January 25 John Howard said, "We expect [new Australians] to master the common language of English," yet his government is responsible for the scandalous under-funding of essential English language programs for non English speaking background migrant and refugee students. In 2004 it was revealed that NSW was being under-funded to the tune of $23 million per annum, whilst nationally the figure was $49 million per annum.
• Early childhood The Howard Government continues to refuse to accept responsibility for funding and supporting quality early childhood learning. Research shows that by the time children begin the 'compulsory' years of schooling many of the factors contributing to future inequality are evident. Disparities in access to early childhood learning are further exacerbating those inequalities.
• Industrial relations The extreme industrial relations laws introduced by the Howard Government represent the most serious political attack on working people and their families seen in the last century. It proves that the Howard Government works for the unfettered rights of employers over employees. By attacking unions, the Howard Government's intent is to obstruct or undermine our capacity to campaign on these issues.

The Howard Government has been responsible for the most regressive and reactionary policy seen in this nation in the last 40 years if not longer.

Individualism has been elevated above all else. The social fabric of Australian society and the values of equal opportunity and social justice, expressed in the Australian vernacular as 'a fair go', are being forsaken. The result is the growing polarisation of Australian society.

Angelo Gavrielatos is the Deputy President.

New low reached in federal funding

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