National Report of Australia to the International Conference on Education (41st, Geneva, Switzerland, 1989).

Overview & Synopsis

This report presents an overview of the organization and structure of the Australian education system and focuses upon developments in education in that country from 1986 to 1988. The essential role played by education and training in facilitating the process of change required for economic growth and the achievement of social justice is represented by the decision to combine government responsibilities for employment, education, and training in one department. The National Board of Employment, Education and Training (NBEET) was created in 1988 to provide advice to the government on schools, higher education, skills formation, training, and research. Structural changes in education and training have been emphasized as part of the government's broad ranging program of micro-economic reforms. Among the important educational developments of this period include a government discussion paper, "Strengthening Australia's Schools," which focused upon the critical role that schools have in the achievement of national objectives. This report is divided into three sections: (1) organization and structure of the Australian Education System; (2) development of education 1986-88; and (3) problems and difficulties. A number of appendices that feature charts and tables of statistical data are included. (DB)