Struan 1962 - Adm.monash.edu.au

Seriously, Australian education is very different from American education,but both systems are operating effectively in the pursuit of their respectivegoals. I have worked for a number of years in a system of mass education,a system which naturally harbours many reluctant and recalcitrantpersonalities. The battle to find a place for these people in the "meet theirneeds" program has resulted in a vast array of deluded and non-academiccourses being offered. Attendant to this problem is the one of discipline.Here in Australia where the accent is on selective education, and wherethe compulsory education is considerably less stringent, the running of aclassroom is more academic in emphasis - in a larger percentage of theclassrooms of the country.The other vital difference that marks American education as differentfrom its Australian friend is the local management and financial responsibilityas opposed to a highly centralized machine with fewer variables. AnAmerican school is the product of the community in which it is located, andthe American teacher is often face to face with parents and civic groups oneducational matters. Hence, the curriculum is very flexible, as is evident bythe addition of various activities promoting a better social education and anincreased awareness of better citizenship. In Australia, due to the tremendousimportance of public examinations, courses have remained more rigid andimmutable.I am not prepared now, or possibly ever, to say which philosophy wouldwork better in Australia. All I can say is that the staff at Frankston appearhighly educated, arid the students are generally as' well prepared as any inthe world. I have especially enjoyed the sports participation opportunitiesafforded me here in Australia. Physical fitness is a reality here with practicallyall young people engaged in some recreation during the week. InAmerica President Kennedy has expressed some concern about the "soft"American.I just wish that my American friends who are writing to me could askme more important questions than "Have you seen any kangaroos lately?"or "How are you getting on with the abos?" I am about to write back andask "Is Wyatt Earp still king of Dodge City?" or "How's traffic on the Oregontrail?"-Dick Ricks.Page EighteenSTRUAN, 1962