Gripping the Classroom Nettle
LEONARD COLQUHOUN’S letter (The Examiner, March 18) “Classroom Nettles” appears to address the inferior educational level of teachers and the diminishing student standards in Tasmania.
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There is little doubt that his comments are accurate – the most sensitive area of the education debate is centred on testing, and the very mention of the word “examination” leads teachers and “educationists” into a positive frenzy of hard words and self-justification.
One of the jobs I had was teaching teachers how to teach English.
I clearly remember being severely talked to because I had failed over 60 per cent of the first year education students.
The very mention of the word “failed” led to a tremor in the Dean’s voice.
The real problem being discussed was that we were talking about two different areas.
I was pointing out the obvious gaps in the students’ knowledge of their own language, and the Dean was talking about financial units and the necessity of pleasing the university, the inter faculty competition and the government funding tally clerks.
These are entirely different things. I was presenting facts and proving them and he was trying to create a mini-Harmony Day where everybody passes.
This personal memory more or less encapsulates the problem of diminishing standards.
The real trouble is that while we may live in a fool’s paradise other people, notably our Asian neighbours don’t.
But I could be wrong and need “re-education”.
C. Hayward, Goshen.
Cancer Patients
I HAVE questions for not only medical authorities, but also cancer patients, that I never got to ask either of my parents before they died from cancer.
Other than the (sadly) standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy, what other treatments are available?
We never seem to hear about a cancer patient’s “journey” (as they call it) who chooses not to have either treatment - why not?
My mum and dad both died from the side effects from both types of treatment, not their cancers.
Both antiquated treatments have been the only option of treatment for more than 50 years.
Medical experts haven’t developed an alternative treatment in all that time - why not?
I’d rather die from natural causes from any man-made drug should my natural cancer cells mutate.
A.R. Trounson, Needles.
Political change
WITH the acknowledged transformation of female representation in the recently elected 2018 state parliament, and past achievements of first female prime minister Julia Gillard, the next step of democratic maturity will be the non-reporting of the aforementioned acknowledgement and attainment of position.
Whether the prime minister is female or male will be of immaterial interest, but just part and parcel of the democratic process, provided every opportunity is given to female/male prospective political aspirants.
This positive prediction is highly dependent upon the quality and ability of individual parliamentary candidates/members, who are best to represent their constituents, and to lead with legislative change as society inevitably transforms from one social, economic and political paradigm to the next challenge.
That will eventually become an integral part of our history, but totally reliant upon the wisdom and foresight of the next generation to create an epoch for successful, evolutionary and continual societal change.
Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.
Nursing Recognition
FOLLOWING on from my letter (The Sunday Examiner, March 18).
I even have a title for a book on the subject “The Nursing Greats of the LGH”.
All we need now is someone to write it, over to the historical committee of the hospital.
Malcolm Scott, Newstead.
State Election
I DON’T know why people are still complaining about the outcome of the recent Tasmanian election, after all we got the best federal government money could buy.
Michael Scott, South Hobart.
Welfare Cheats
AT LAST the federal government has come down hard on wealthy welfare 'cheats'.
What is meant by that, is those that have large amounts of unexplained wealth pass through their bank accounts and yet defraud the welfare system by claiming benefits they are certainly not entitled to.
The government-funded welfare system was and is designed to help those less fortunate, and now that (within the past 18 months) a staggering $43 million has been paid back from recipients that have tried to cheat the system, shows just how much the practice goes on.
Refunded money is money that can now go where it should have gone - to those in need. I say to the government - keep vigilant.
Robert Lee, Summerhill.
Smart Phones
OUR world is now swamped with smart phones, and our lives are being run by them.
I just read an advert for hearing aids and how with new technology, I can adjust them with my smart phone.
We can do our banking, reset our TV, pay all our bills, check our GPS, order meals, make doctor’s appointments, and set wake-up alarms, all with our smart phones. The list is endless.
Are we all smart enough to run these things before they run us?
Am I smart enough? Just a sec - I’ll check with my smart phone. It’ll know for sure, smart thing it is.
David Parker, West Launceston.