-
Rural classrooms and Church schools
The concept of "school" as a building where many students attended did not exist. There would be classrooms in the countryside or some church schools. However, education was only possible for wealthier middle and upper classes. -
First Government Schools
Due to the belief of the relationship between high crime rate and ignorance, government set up schools so that all children could be taught, not only the three "R's," (reading, writing and arithmetic) but how to be good moral, law-abiding citizens. -
First Government Schools (cont)
The curriculum and rules were the same for all.
Both boys and girls received instruction in the basic subjects. In addition, girls spent 80 minutes of the day in sewing, knitting and darning instruction while the boys spent this time learning geometry and more geography and arithmetic. -
Compulsory Education introduced
-
First attempts at a reformation
Following the depression, major changes were needed.
Fees for high schools were abolished, subjects were improved and courses were extended to four years. The courses were designed with the student in mind: commercial courses for business, technical courses for industrial, domestic for home management and general courses for higher, professional education. Would-be teachers now had to complete secondary education and then attend training college. -
More changes
The system remained the same until the 1950s. From then on, changes to the curriculum and examination methods seem to have occurred every few years. -
Teaching becomes a profession
-
National Assessment Program
-
Whole System Reform
-
Private School Funding
Issues regarding the big gap between funds of private schools vs public schools were addressed by the government. -
Teachers Strike
The Australian Education Union has rejected the Victorian Government's offer of a 2.5 per cent pay rise with performance bonuses. -
Australian National Curriculum
Under development and trial for several years prior, it had already been adopted by some schools and would become mandatory soon.
