News & Views item - February 2007

 

 

A Forum in Support of Maths - Who's Coming Who's Not. (February 6, 2007)

    A one day "forum", An Investment In Australia's Future: Why the mathematical sciences matter is to be held on Thursday (February 7).

 

Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, has detailed off her Parliamentary Secretary, Pat Farmer,* to represent her while Labor will be represented by the shadow minister for Innovation, Industry, Science & Research, Senator Kim Carr.

 

There is no indication if either will stay to listen to the other speakers.

 

 

*Note: On November 27, 2006 Mr Farmer told 150 teachers at a national forum, Teachers Making a Difference that the forum was celebrating the professional learning outcomes achieved through the Australian Government’s $300 million Quality Teacher Programme which he said aims to equip teachers with improved skills and knowledge for teaching.

 

He went on to say:

The Australian Government recognises that well trained teachers are central to improving students and is determined that all teachers should have the opportunity to pursue their own professional learning.

Professional learning should be of a high quality and lift knowledge and skill levels and motivate teachers to continually strive for better outcomes, which will improve the profession’s standing.

Just as in other professions, our teachers need to renew and update their knowledge and skills to ensure that Australia maintains a quality teaching workforce.

I am proud to join with 150 teachers from across Australia tonight in this national forum, which provides a valuable opportunity for teachers to share their personal learning journeys, exchange experiences and ideas and to acknowledge the achievements of the teachers who have participated in this important Australian Government programme.

In Australia we have some 260,000 teachers spread among some 3.3 million students.

Teachers fill a special role in society and I’m sure that each of us would be able to recall with gratitude and fondness a teacher who made a difference to our lives, who may have perhaps inspired our career choice or who may have simply inspired a love of learning.

We have lots of heroes today such as media personalities, film and sports stars, and they come and go, but the influence of good teachers stays with their students for a lifetime.