by Cheryl Lacey, DSJ, Take The Lead On Education™, ©2024
(Sep. 2, 2024) — Not everyone agrees on the value school education brings to students, teachers, families, and school communities. Similarly, there’s ongoing conflict over who should contribute financially and to what extent.
Some argue the issues stem from the public-private debate. Others point to a lack of choice. Then there are philosophical divides: teaching vs. learning, phonics vs. whole language, sex vs. gender, wages vs. salaries, and more.
We find ourselves trapped in a cycle of discontent, largely self-inflicted. Why? Because we fail to understand and appreciate what drove the desire and need for universal education.
Let me briefly take you back to a newspaper article published in The Argus in 1872, discussing the passage of Victoria’s Education Act in Parliament:
“For the first time in this colony, the young will now have an opportunity of acquiring the rudiments of education unmixed with the leaven of sectarianism. Every child, no matter what its parents’ circumstances may be, will receive at the hands of the state that key which, rightly used, unlocks whole stores of knowledge. If due effect be given to the compulsory clauses, none will grow up in that gross ignorance which is such a fruitful mother of crime, which fills our gaols, and yearly robs honest industry of a large portion of its reward.”
This was only four generations ago—remarkably close to home, wouldn’t you agree?
Going Back To Move Forward
If I asked you to summarize the key message from the article in one sentence, what would you say? Here’s mine:
The purpose of my children attending school is to learn basic skills and knowledge so they can build a free and responsible life, away from crime.
Consider that. Just over 150 years ago, a colony far from Europe and the United States envisioned that every child could live a healthy, wealthy, and happy life.
It’s breathtaking.
More profound is that their vision stemmed from understanding the lives their parents and grandparents had lived. The architects of school education were the children of farmers, convicts, gold diggers, explorers, and marines. They had experienced wealth, crime, hope, loneliness, and adventure. They came together, listened, agreed on what was possible, and made it happen.
There is much to learn from their vision, application, and transparency in reporting on Acts of Parliament.
Rudiments – From Basics To Brilliance
Consider this list:
- There are three primary colors, but our eyes can distinguish about 10 million.
- Some people date events using BC and AD; others use BCE and CE (Before and Common Era).
- About 1.4 billion devices use Microsoft products at any given time.
- European settlers brought traditional churches to Australia.
- There are 12 notes in Western music.
- In 1901, 97% of Australians identified as Christian.
- Seventeen different sports use a ball.
- The Catholic religion was established around 30 AD.
- Islam was established around 610 AD.
- In 1896, South Australia was the first colony where women, including Aboriginal women, could legally vote.
- Australia has over 70,000 registered non-profit sporting clubs.
How would you describe the list? Fun facts, irrelevant today, a great lesson in innovation and thought, or something else?
What did you learn?
Final question – why did I share this list with you?
Because some of these points influenced the subjects offered in Victoria’s first public schools.
The point is, school doesn’t prepare you for everything, nor was it meant to. But when respected, school education provides a solid start to countless possibilities.
Inheriting a school system comes with its challenges and benefits. Thank God we have one—no matter how challenging it may be.