Drugged teenager dies tragically as drug pushers circumvent outlaw to continue selling

Popular and intelligent high school student Henry Kwan ended his young life with just a pop of a synthetic drug (LSD).

Whether the drug is legal, pure or tested are all immaterial. Narcotics should never be circulated and taken by kids or layman without doctors' prescription for recreational or self therapeutic reasons. LSD poses more risk than controlled medicine, not something that you could obtain at the school backyard or on the internet.

Different people respond and react differently to drugs especially those of unknown composition and sources. Ordinarily, the drug maker who is likely to be a high school student or amateur chemist hoped that the consumer would get high and the chemicals wear off and does little harm. However, there will a number, albeit a minority, who would react adversely to bogus drugs.  If not hallucination, psychosis, the effects could be respiratory difficulty or heart failure, as dangerous drugs are known for.

More will die and their distraught families will suffer for a long time if we hesitate to take strong action to stamp out the deadly malaise.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nsw/distraught-father-tells-of-teenagers-tragic-last-moments-20130607-2nvjp.html

For those who are observant or are logged into the grapevine of suburban gossips, it is not uncommon to see children as young as 10 to 12 doing drugs at the cafes and shopping centres.

The poison has been allowed to spread for a long time.

Shocking but it is the reality we live with but prefer to ignore or do not know how to deal with. There is too much freedom, lack of supervision and availability of easy money from doting working parents or grandparents, and teenagers' salaries for weekend work.

We have been cavalier and negligent because we did not think it will happen to us or in our vicinity. It is already too late to undo a dependency that is destroying our students and young professionals.

Many can still remember that a neurosurgeon was sentenced for manslaughter for supplying excessive amount of cocaine to a prostitute. If a medically trained personnel can be callous and inaccurate in diagnosing the safe level of narcotics for human consumption, how do we expect drug users to know better?

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/court-reduces-jail-sentence-over-neurosurgeon-suresh-nairs-cocaine-fueled-sex-sessions/story-e6freuy9-1226623391995

When individuals and peer groups cannot think clearly, self discipline or protect themselves, families and the state should step in to impose stricter rules and enforce them.

I am appalled, deeply concerned and disappointed that some adult businesses want to protect their financial interest more than compassion for accidental loss of human life.

Eros, the national adult retail and entertainment association, will distribute hologram stickers to mark packets of drugs that have been scientifically tested, implement an industry-wide ''code of practice'' for selling synthetic drugs and mount a legal challenge to proposed legislative changes that make it harder to sell the drugs.

Synthetic drugs are products containing chemicals artificially developed to mimic the effects of cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine. They exist in a grey legal area because manufacturers tweak their recipes to circumvent illegal drug classifications.

One new synthetic drug emerges on the European market every week and the two drugs believed to be involved in Henry Kwan's death, 25I-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe, are among hundreds coming in to Australia.

Nearly one in 10 17-year-old boys and one in 20 17-year-old girls admitted to taking hallucinogens in the federal government's survey of secondary school students last year.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/legal-high-shops-mull-200m-campaign-20130607-2nvi9.html

While schools assured that students have been educated not to be experiment with unknown drugs, the message has not impressed upon those who need most. Contrary to common assumptions, drug dealing is not confined to the defiant and academically poorer students but everyone is vulnerable to the temptations.

The abuse has reached uncontrollable proportions with higher incidence of abuses, but more so because we don't know who would be the next innocent and unexpected victim. No compromise and excuses can delay measures to cut off supply of synthetic drugs. This is a worldwide problem which every government and citizen must take responsibility in eradicating.

http://health.syr.edu/education/synthetic-drugs.html

Outsourcing at irrational scale to serve greedy or desperate employers and investors -- emptying local employment, middle class hardest hit

It has been a rough ride for middle class Australians in the last couple of years.  I'm not even talking about ever rising prices of electricity, food, housing, transport, medical, insurance and other basic necessities. It is more challenging to hold a job with decent income to support your family for those with more responsibilities than self sustenance.

No longer does a good education and specialized skill guarantee you job security till pass middle age.

Starting with manufacturing, we thought that higher value added jobs could be retained locally. Not any more. IT (information technology), accounting services, and now legal services can be outsourced on a massive scale. Employers have no qualms about taking the sledge hammer to export jobs, with little consideration to coordination, sensitivity of information and understanding of local environment.

Labour intensive  -- Low cost component -- Assembly / Semi-skilled processes -- Design -- Innovation

Every industry and sector has no qualms and almost ridiculously competing to outsource each other -  textile/garment, light industry, banks, construction, telco, airlines, financial services, etc.  Eventually, when labour of developing nations become more highly educated, skilled and creative, which they will catch up with us sooner than later, even designing and innovative jobs can be shipped overseas.  Only few food and personal services and care could not be outsourced.

Just because everyone is doing it does not make it alright.

Despite the political soundbites in favour of protecting local jobs, there is little the federal or state government could do to interfere with private business decisions.

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/prime-minister-julia-gillard-stop-outsourcing-australian-jobs-2

Hypocritically, even local governments contemplate outsourcing jobs.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/it-pro/government-it/councils-job-outsourcing-plans-breach-eba-union-20130107-2ccy0.html

On the surface, it makes good economic sense, from the employers' point of view. Capitalist economic theories teach us to the benefits of division of labour and comparative advantage. It's good for business by lowering to cost, doing what we are best at, and maximisig profits. Welcome to the real world of globalisation and competition. It does not take into consideration social stability and compromise quality of services.

No matter how hard you have worked, giving up your health and best part of your life and time, and no matter how good you may be at your job, and contributed to your company's growth and profits, employers can be ruthless and have skilled efficient workers who do not fit into their short term purely cost (not even profit) driven gameplan to cut jobs. The air of distrust and low morale pervades many workplaces of today. It is no wonder more people are falling sick, especially work anxiety.

If jobs can be neatly compartmentalized, could be performed efficiently and cheaply by skilled workers in India, China, Indonesia and Vietnam. We have nothing against individual workers overseas as they too need to make a living and probably work under less enviable terms and conditions.

The real culprits who should be made to answer the questions are the heartless creatures who decide on making every opportunity to outsource, regardless of its suitability. Mindless restructuring and outsourcing has created a vacuum. A small percentage of former staff laid off by companies have been re-employed as contract staff at higher salaries to fill the gaps that foreign labour are unable to accomplish. There you have a dumb decision immediately exposed. There will come a time, and it should be sooner, that senior management could be outsourced too, for making silly mistakes.

Adjustments are invariably difficult and take a long time to achieve positive results, if they in fact do so.  Our education reforms have met with funding shortage and strong resistance from educationists, parents and politicians. We would be hard pressed to develop relevant skills to keep jobs locally.

Depreciation of the unrealistically high Aussie dollar is inevitable. Australian goods and services have become uncompetitive. Life has been good to us in the recent past thanks to the mining boom. Australian travellers have been able to stretch the value of their dollar and enjoy during good times.

However, with the slowdown in exports, rising unemployment, high living costs and mortgage (despite rate decrease) becomes more painful.

To be employed and have a gainful employment for a large part of our lives is a basic human right. It is useless to talk about esoteric theories and ideals when we can't even carry on with decency and dignity.

This is going to be a cold, harsh and long winter.

Australian Recruiters Risk Averse, Lose out on tapping humanities talents such as Gail Kelly

Peter Cai has courageously opened up a controversial topic which many in Australia have not dared to confront and address.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/business-can-benefit-from-students-of-humanities-20130127-2deuy.html

Indeed, compared to UK and US where everyone could almost certainly become anybody they wish, this luxury does not exist in Australia, the lucky country.

There is a strange contradiction in the Australian job market. Most potential job seekers find employment scarce while recruiters are facing difficulty filling positions that require specialised skills.

For the same MNCs and global consultancy firms, the Australian branches are not as generous and receptive to building a diversity of talents. I know some executives who started in non-business and non-core business areas of reputable international companies that are not based in Australia. Managers were very supportive and gave their staff many opportunities and time to upgrade their skills and move on to more challenging roles.

My Australian contacts in recruitment and HR have confirmed that there is a tendency to find an exact match even if this meant leaving positions vacant for months or years, if no such ideal candidate is to be found. The environment has become more rigid than say 20 years ago. That Gail Kelly made it to the top of Westpac despite her education in language and history, showed that employers were probably more open-minded than now.

The cautious approach mirrors the overall mentality of corporate Australia regardless of which department they represent. As long as you stick closely to rules it is quite safe, all is well and safe, and this would help to cover one's back if things do not go according to expectations or go wrong.

There are advantages in selecting human resources that are trained in a specific area and have the relevant experience. However, many other talents have been disregarded in the process.

Of course, successful business executives who had arts background must be competent in business management. They have to work hard to learn relevant skills and industry expertise quickly and do better than their peers with a business degree.  It may also help if one has a good network and get noticed early in life, such as being awarded prizes and scholarships and well connected with the rich and famous.

If certain employers in Australia rely on old boys' network and retired sportsmen to fill their top positions, and willing to overlook their lack of skills and experience in business management, why can't they offer the same treatment to high flying humanities graduates?

Because of market demand, herd instincts and parental influence tend to favour studies in business, finance, technology and law. This has perpetuated a vicious cycle of channelling academically excellent to do professional degrees. On the other hand, the humanities are the reserve of either those who can't make the grade, or clever students who are too innocent or not too worried about the rat race.

Many a times, some humanities undergraduates feel offended and lose hope when peers and seniors ask what they could do with their training? It is not so much an education we are after now, but vocational skills. It is surprising that some are unaware that universities offer post-graduate professional courses.

The least we could do is not to accept the status quo and liberate our minds.

Grammar is no longer taught as a discipline despite retaining an insignificant place in the curriculum. That is not to say that all teachers in majority of schools are not teaching grammar at all.  However, by and large, the place that grammar occupies has certainly been relegated to the back room.

These days, high school children are slack in using their tenses and plurals. The door is open for convenience albeit it cannot be considered creativity.

You could tell from the compromises markers of essays have to make, trying to gloss over bad language so long as the idea and content is there. 

Even so-called commendable and published works online contain ungrammatical and incomplete sentences that do not clearly convey information or the writer's intention. It really makes you wonder how bad the rest are. 

There's a general belief that pictures speak volumes in place of words. Photos may be useful to substantiate and highlight a point, but it is not an excuse to make up for lack of proficiency.

Vocabulary inventiveness is another new ball game. Words that are popularised by the social media and abbreviations which are coded,  are not found in the Oxford dictionary. OMG! 

Perhaps, the younger ones are more eloquent and street wise. Listen closely. Even in spoken language, the habit of using "like" is annoyingly American and juvenile. 

Worse, some believe it is just fine. We could have fun trying to do some guesswork and let things take its natural course. 

Don't get me wrong. The middle and older generation are not insisting that grammar be taught in the old-fashioned and boring way where the teacher is strict and sometimes inflexible, and even wielded a cane in one hand pacing around the classroom.  

Neither are seniors claiming that we have perfected and mastered grammar. At least we are given the tools and encouragement to have a go and aim high. A weak foundation will likely result in a structurally unsound building. Effort and time spent learning go to waste.    

Education too slow in responding to globalisation? Australia joins developed world in escalating outsourcing skilled labour overseas - retrenchments and net job creation

There is always a silver lining to negative news provided we vigorously address problems and plan for the future. 


Get used to it: sending jobs overseas is the way of the future
http://www.theage.com.au/national/get-used-to-it-sending-jobs-overseas-is-the-way-of-the-future-20121009-27bfh.html


Outsourcing has become a dirty word, threatening to cut more jobs of locals as companies seek lower cost of labour and production overseas. Rather than resisting and putting up artificial blocks, which won't work  anyway, we should go with the flow. Trade restrictions and doing nothing would only weigh us down and put us further behind the competitors.  

Having said the hard truth, outsourcing has gained a momentum of its own. The question is how to ride the storm and survive, if not thrive well. It is a challenge for the state to set the right direction and actually putting money where its mouth is and getting things done. Or else we are doomed. But looking at the way education and health budget is being slashed, procrastination and bickering over unimportant issues, the picture is more gloom than most politicians would like to believe. 

Retrenchments have splashed ruthlessly across corporate human resources lately and putting stress not only to those made redundant and their families, but co-workers who are fortunate enough not to be laid off, but left to do the extra jobs of the less fortunate who have been made redundant. The cull and more to come has left deep psychological scars on everyone and 

The well-connected and those armed with current, relevant and highly sought after skills have nothing to fear. Most are able to get another position in a related field or industry, often in the ex-employer's competitor firm. 

However, as the high performing developing countries with huge economies such as India and China move up the skills and value added ladder, the number and spectrum of jobs they are capable of performing as well as Australians increase as well. 

Quote : Occupations most at risk include those in information technology, administration, and jobs in finance and insurance and the professional, scientific and technical services sectors.

Indeed, I was taken aback when I realised that some IT and accounting staff processing our requests and orders are based overseas, contactable only by email (which they normally respond within minutes barring time zone difference), and whom we would unlikely to ever meet face-to-face. So it won't be surprising that even scientific trials that require long hours including weekend work, can be moved offshore. 

The bottomline for most companies is to get the job accomplished at the least possible cost. The issue is that Australian labour is getting too expensive (to catch up with rising cost of living and aspirations) taking into account extra hours and weekend penalty rates, leave allowance, labour protection laws, workers' compensation and taxes, and a long list of regulatory compliance requirements, which are still unheard of or de-emphasised in most developing countries. 

So, where does that leave the majority of the redundant workers? professional nursing or basic home carer for the old age and autistic kids. However, for a middle-ager making a career switch to a highly demanding (both physical strength and mental alertness), it is less than ideal for both the worker and the client.  

The young and fit would be better off become skilled tradesmen who are in perpetually short in supply and could pick and choose the type of work to do and when to turn up. This sounds familiar to most households who need small jobs done. Such jobs are difficult to outsource and safe as long as most Australians remain not so handy and technically incompetent. 

Australia's education score for high school and universities ranking remain dismally poor compared to US, UK and now Asian schools. Those who complain about competitiveness in local education system should take a look at the level of proficiency that counterparts offshore have attained in Math, Science and languages. The local curriculum is slow in adapting well to current needs and keep up with the fast-changing world. The skills gap can only get more skewed. Concerned more with niceties and political correctness instead of facing up to difficult tasks, majority of our school leavers and graduates can only hope to rest their laurels in gaining local recognition.

NewStart and financial assistance for business start-ups are costly and merely serve as a bridging measure to help Australian families. Most distressing is the recent cut in funding for TAFE courses deemed less essential and important. Inevitably, more will fall beneath the cracks and modern day borderline poverty may worsen. This may just be the beginning of a downward spiral. 

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/single-parents-fear-newstart-will-set-them-back-20121009-27bas.html

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tafe-cuts-advice-to-be-kept-secret-20120922-26dud.html

We need more than temporary stop-gaps which will stave off discontent and political inconveniences. But for a nation to remain economically viable in the long run requires better economic planning and proactive education policies. 

Afterthought : I have since written an update of the pain outsourcing threatens to affect each and everyone of us. 

http://ausletters.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/outsourcing-at-irrational-scale-to.html

Bullying at tertiary education institutions? Power moves

Australia is a civilised society. Bullying in whatever forms cannot be tolerated. Bullying at university comes as a surprise not because we didn't know it has always existed but the degree of distress caused. 

We have heard of cyber bullying and school ground bullying. But senior academics, not just students, suffering mental distress from colleagues and seniors is difficult to grasp and comprehend. Has there been a real increase at the aggressors' initiative or victims are more open to air their grievances nowadays? 

If the university's best response is that it happens in all large organisations, this is not good enough. No attempt is made to investigate or improve work conditions. No wonder the reputation of UNSW and other organisations with similar culture of sweeping the dust under the carpet will be tarnished in the long run. Why do some top management look at worse examples to cite in order to make themselves look better. 

When the bullies take out on their victims for self gratification, they don't realise the distress and potential mental harm it may cause. Not every individual has the strength and opportunities to seek recourse and overcome the bad patch. It is not an exaggeration to extrapolate that bullying can drive the victims to illness or even deaths. This will no longer be a joke and it will be too late to 

On the other hand, there may be a small number of fragile students and academics who are more susceptible to melting and depression. What they need is counselling. In such cases, escalation and penalty imposed on those those who want to get their work done may not achieve the desired goals.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/university-of-hard-knocks/story-e6freuzi-1226429497231

A submission to the inquiry prepared by the National Tertiary Education Union said a confidential survey of more than 550 UNSW staff uncovered complaints about "unfair treatment, public humiliation, arbitrary misuse of power and repeated shouting, swearing and threatening behaviour in their work units".

Almost 40 respondents said they received or witnessed "unwanted sexual attention" while others reported "illegal discriminatory activity, pressure to retire and demeaning and discriminatory jokes".

One senior staff member was heard to comment on a colleague, saying she looked like "Princess Diana after the accident with the steering wheel through her face".

The submission said: "This was reported to senior management in the workplace but the respondent was unaware of any action taken.

NTEU branch president at UNSW Dr Sarah Gregson said in the submission she feared bullying was becoming an unacknowledged but deeply corrosive aspect of campus life: "The evidence we gathered suggested that, although UNSW has a bullying policy and other guidelines that outline acceptable workplace conduct, these policies are routinely ignored and harmful behaviour is often excused."

Academic Results not good enough. The dearth of reasonableness expected of Bright Kid UAI / ATAR 99.95 --Discontent knows no limits for Sarah Wong

Nothing but the best and perfection, wanted!  Half a mark from full marks is not enough, unacceptable, unfair!  There must be absolute happiness, nothing short of the maximum limit. 


Seriously, and honestly, did smart kid like Wong really expects to win? It surely succeeds in getting media attention, the unwanted and undesirable sort of responses. 


It is the norm than the exception. Many of us did not experience hand cramping half way through the paper, except those whose minds are blank, could not care less and have nothing more to write to impress the examiner?


To think that Ms Wong will be a medical doctor who has to diagnose illnesses and show care and concern for patients, is a frightening thought. 


It takes more than a spoilt brat. Aggressive parents stoking fire and egging her on to fight for her God given "rights" and extract what is believed to be her legal entitlement. Excuse me, what values are we imparting to the younger generation. It is useless to have perfect academic score when one lacks the ability to reason and be contented. 


Wong is not alone in this sort of manipulation for special provisions. Many private school kids have asked for some form of special consideration such as more time, teacher's assistance and conducive environment. Somehow, those who are born of more humble backgrounds are less demanding. Public school students are more likely to their naturally endowed abilities or disabilities, try to do their best and fend for themselves. That is not to say that some genuine cases merit help and flexibility. However, Wong has insulted our intelligence by pushing the limits beyond reason. 

DESPITE educating just one in four students with disabilities, private schools accounted for more than half the applications for HSC exam disability provisions this year.

Eleven per cent of HSC students at independent schools sought special consideration, compared with 6 per cent of students at government schools, NSW Board of Studies figures show. Disability provisions were sought by 8.1 per cent of HSC candidates in the Catholic system.

Private school students at a number of Christian schools, Anglican colleges and other high-fee schools successfully applied for special provisions at more than three times the rate of their public school counterparts.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/tertiary-education/private-students-most-likely-to-apply-for-hsc-special-consideration-20111207-1ojbs.html

The story : Quote : 

AFTER achieving a university entry rank of 99.95, winning fifth place in the state for chemistry and a place at the University of Sydney studying medicine, the former Abbotsleigh student Sarah Hui Xin Wong believed she could have done better in the HSC.

Sarah's mother, Eileen, lodged complaint after complaint to the school and to the Board of Studies since Sarah completed the HSC in 2008, arguing her daughter was discriminated against.

Yesterday, Ms Wong lost her appeal against a decision by the NSW Board of Studies not to grant her special examination provisions in the form of a computer and extra exam time for the 2008 Higher School Certificate.

She took the Board of Studies to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, claiming she was unlawfully discriminated against on the ground of disability.

Ms Wong, now 21, said the board failed to adequately accommodate her joint hyper mobility of the wrist and hand during her English advanced and modern history exams.

She was granted rest breaks during the exams. She was also offered the use of a writer, who would take down her dictation. However, she chose not to use this option.

Ms Wong scored a university entry rank of 99.95 and is studying a combined degree in science and medicine at the University of Sydney. She came fifth in the HSC chemistry exam when she was in year 11 in 2007.

However, she told the tribunal she believed if she had been granted a computer or extra time, she would have achieved much higher marks.

The tribunal found Ms Wong failed to establish her claims of discrimination and dismissed her complaint.

The tribunal said it was not satisfied that without a computer, Ms Wong was unable to perform to her ability in the same way that persons without her disability could have done.

Ms Wong has been ordered to pay some of the Board of Studies' costs, including a proportion of the fees of the leading Sydney barrister Chris Ronalds, SC.

Earlier this year she told the Herald the board's failure to grant her additional ''special provisions'' meant that she was not fairly tested.

''The point isn't that I was doing badly. I did do well, what a normal person would consider well,'' she said. ''But you want your disability to be sufficiently addressed with special examination provisions so that everyone has a capability to communicate what they know in the HSC examinations, otherwise it is not a fair test of your knowledge.

''Marks were lost often towards the end of the paper where my hand fatigued and I wasn't able to complete the paper. My writing became illegible and my hand was cramping.''

http://m.smh.com.au/national/education/student-loses-appeal-over-9995-hsc-mark-20120703-21flw.html

Cuts in Tertiary education negate potential gains in investments - reconciling Gonski report

Coordination has never been an Aussie forte. 


Gonski study is being seriously considered to lift Aussie students' academic competency in math and science may only cover part of the problem. 


The longstanding and lingering reluctance to fund education up to tertiary level, sharpen competitiveness with world institutions and provide good learning experience is likely to falter. Blaming it on purely economic factors shows the lack of vision in sustaining Australia as a destination for international students. The education sector has served us well in the past decade and should not be allowed to slack without taking proactive steps to live up to the challenges. Indeed, the importance of investing in tertiary education could not be emphasised more. 


Within a week, I heard two pieces of negative news from students and staff who are directly impacted from staff cuts. 


Some segments of students with needs deemed dispensable would be slashed ruthlessly no doubt. With worse times ahead, a strong Australian dollar and effects of past stringent student visa policies, universities seek short term measures. 


Decisions are purely made on monetary considerations rather than performance criteria and feedback from consumers.


There is fine line between downsizing justified by efficiency and dump sizing which compromises on quality of service. After all, education is a service, and not all solutions could be found in technology. 


Heartaches but no sweat for most who are able to find alternative employment or start a business. However, in the current gloomy job market, losing a job is easy but replacing one isn't. 


What about those whose career, passion and lives who have been closely tied to university education, with skills that are not so easily transferable across industries and countries?


U Syd will cut hundreds of academic and general staff in tandem with anticipated reduction in student enrolments, and in order to free up money for IT and maintenance.


http://theconversation.edu.au/sydney-uni-to-cut-academic-and-general-staff-but-boost-it-4404

Anti-Social Toilet Manners - Ego or Cultural?

The two cases are probably unrelated but the journalist has put a negative spin to continue the derogation of immigrants. 

http://www.ausletters.blogspot.com/2012/01/migrants-body-odour-and-queue-jumping.html

Now, I am afraid that feminists might protest if signs have been installed in male or unisex toilets where seats are frequently wet by inaccurate aiming at the target. This is a serious issue which has been the cause of many family quarrels between husbands and wives as well as siblings. But in public places, no one knows who did it!   Ask anyone if this is unique to non-Australian culture, I fear not. 

Quote : 


A UNIVERSITY is teaching migrant students how to use a toilet correctly after complaints from cleaners that they were leaving them in an unhygienic state.


The signs were installed 15 months ago after complaints from a company contracted to clean campus toilets.


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/the-other-side/macquarie-university-teaching-migrant-students-how-to-use-a-toilet-correctly/story-e6frfhk6-1226242767424

Why only confine to a certain university? These signs  and more should be displayed in all toilet cubicles all over the world to educate users and make the jobs of cleaners easier, or even save payroll expenses by hiring fewer cleaners!  

Reward worthy teachers more will be a first step to slaughter the sared cow to improve Australian education system

That salary should be pegged to performance is a yardstick used across all industries. But political correctness and promises of equality will likely bring down our education system. There is a general reluctance to discuss or push ahead with pay differentiation to reward higher value added performance. Policy makers pandering to public opinion and unions are so cagey that they have long been afraid to roll out the criteria for high quality education. Without assessment, we will never find out the truth and differentiate the better teachers and reward them.

Quote : Previous attempts to improve teacher quality by attracting, retaining, recognising and rewarding accomplished teachers have largely failed. The main reason is that such schemes have never entered the mainstream to form an effective, coherent salary and career structure. Seemingly simplistic measures such as paying teachers on ''merit'' or by ''results'' are also doomed to fail. One-off bonuses don't work.
Salary scales for teachers based on years of service are 19th-century industrial artefacts that peak too soon and too low.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/building-a-better-pay-ladder-20110828-1jgd7.html

Quote : More than 50 per cent of year 8 students in Korea, Taiwan and Singapore achieve high level benchmarks in maths in the most recent Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, compared with less than 25 per cent in Australia. Alarmingly, more than 40 per cent of those Asian students reached the advanced level, compared with five per cent of Australian students.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/poor-teachers-set-students-back-years-20110826-1jeh8.html

It is ludicrous, unjust and pathetic that underpaid good teachers have to dig into their own pockets to pay for stationery which should be supplied by parents. Alas, some parents don't even bother or care about their children's education. The school and Education office wants to push the responsibility away, do not want to know or have anything to do with it.

Quote :
NSW teachers say they are spending thousands of dollars a year to buy basic classroom items, filling the gap between the Education Department and some parents who fail to equip their children with a pen and an exercise book.

http://m.smh.com.au/nsw/teachers-spend-own-cash-on-classroom-supplies-20110828-1jgnb.html

Given the high cost of living in Australia, teachers are not adequately compensated for their hard work. Cross country comparison of teachers' pay. Australian teachers are poorly paid. No wonder many have quit or complain that the work is unfulfilling.

http://www.worldsalaries.org/teacher.shtml

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/teacher-pay-around-the-world/

http://www.payscale.com/research/SG/Job=Secondary_School_Teacher/Salary
http://www.teachenglishtaiwan.net/teaching-in-taiwan/teacher-pay/

http://www.therationalradical.com/documents/teacherssalaries.htm

Investing in the human resources in the future generation is our greatest asset. This calls for prompt action and not allowing further degeneration of a longstanding problem.

Democracy hinders intelligence, Apathy and Ignorance Negate Social Equity - Australia and US will not change for better unless there's a revolution?

Evidence seems to bear out the sad reality. It is difficult choice between democracy and well being of the people. Too bad, majority of people believe in the lies and wild promises of politicians that will never materialise.

Democracy is blocking intelligence

QUOTE :
Democracy is very close to our hearts. So close that we go to war in order to impose it on those too weak or benighted to grab it for themselves. But democracy, the tyranny of the majority, may yet prove an own goal for humanity, mainly because of the weird trick it does with scale; allowing us all to pursue our own happiness as if we were the only ones on the planet. Allowing us to act like a vast family of solipsistic only children, steadfastly voting for lower taxes and higher services.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/democracy-is-blocking-intelligence-20110420-1dos3.html?skin=text-only

This pathetic phenomenon is not unique to Australia. In the land of freedom USA, which is clearly not a model to follow. Unlike Australia which has a smaller population, the US suffers from a dearth of good leaders. If they do come forward, the old system of backdoor lobbying to protect vested interests will overpower any attempts at change. Though US still has some of the world's best and brightest, many are leaving for greener pastures as funding for R&D declined a decade ago. Education standards have fallen that majority of high school students could not handle basic 3 Rs (much less hard subjects) or take any interest in important domestic issues and world affairs that affect their lives.

At the national level, politicians are trying to fight fire from the explosive debt and budget deficit. Worse are poor working class who always end up with a raw bargain. Despite rising home foreclosures and increasing homelessness, high unemployment, rise in food and fuel prices, the public continued to be duped by conservative politicians to resist social change. Even Obama has been duped by the bankers for a taxpayer bailout. It's funny that those who first created unaffordable health cost and fighting in foreign lands are seen as saviours / good guys.

Sports, soap operas and saucy chain email keep restless and unsatisfied souls preoccupied. The magic engrossed, dulled the brains and lulled the voters into subservience. Instead of taking the protests to the streets, workers are disenfranchised by voting for no-change policies that will favour the rich and powerful and accelerate the demise of the American economy. They want to have their cake and eat it. More disappointments will follow.

Australia is enjoying economic growth at the moment thanks to the mining boom and avoiding some big mistakes. But the future does not look rosy if we continue to bury our heads in the sand and live like there is no tomorrow. Something will have to give sooner or later.

School Formals need not be a costly rite of passage for parents

Are formals really platforms for one-upmanships, keeping up with the Joneses, ego boosting and self-esteem trips, extravagance at the hilt ....?

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/who-bares-wins-in-the-highcost-world-of-school-formals-20101119-180z3.html

No, school formals need not cost more than a thousand dollars estimated by a survey of private school students. It's a rip-off for whoever foots the bill. Every girl (and guy) can look good and have a great time without having a fortune. Here's a sample from less well-to-do but more sensible kids.

Challenge yourself to accomplish the same for half the amount. Pleasant memories of your peers need not be cast in expensive ways. Instead of showing off your wealth, affluence and snob appeal, why not showcase your ingenuity, cooperative spirit, resourcefulness, business sense and artistic creative talents.

Here's a guide :

Dress : $100 - $200
Jewellery & Accessories : $50
Cosmetics / skin care / borrow from mum : $50
Handbag : $50 or make your own clutch satin bag for $10
Shoes : $50 - $100
Manicure / pedicure (optional) : $50 or help each other FOC.
Hairdo : $50 - 100 (or self style at home)
Taxi /parents' car / car pool / public transport : $50

Total : from $400 to $650

- c.g.

Learn more languages, a long term investment to ward off dementia

It pains to see some older friends losing their cognitive abilities. The D word dementia is looked upon with fear and preferred to be relegated a taboo status until it hits someone you know. Very brilliant people who used to be esteemed professionals, academics, researchers and analysts, have fallen victim to the ageing disease.

Recent studies showed that people who are bilingual or multilingual tend to have a reserve to ward off the onset of brain deterioration.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703794104575545923443462444.html?mod=ITP_personaljournal_0

More importantly, one has to keep active with work, reading, exercise, socialising, etc. So don't be discouraged if well meaning people ask :
- why are you still working hard and not relaxing more?
- why are you still learning new skills?
- why are you practising other languages that are of little currency in the local context?
- why are doing voluntary services for the community?

Not only do you enjoy and find meaning in what you do, activities help to build up your abilities to deal with trials, crisis and problems that come with old age.

- c.g.

Cheap imports - the beauty of free world trade

Good quality products may not always be bought at a high price. Gone were the days when a box of 12 coloured pencils cost $5 - $10. Open international trade and diversity of suppliers have benefitted Australians. These days, school children (and their parents) are spoilt for choices when making purchases.

No longer do we have to wait for overseas trips to stock up on certain types of essential stationery. Clear plastic letter files that open on 2 sides and document wallets with button are available in Big W (only some items are available at Woolies). This is the best buy in town - a couple of dollars for a pack.

Not all paper are the same including some that claim to be "premium quality". At the minium, you should get the 800 gsm white paper so as not to jam your printer. Good quality paper are not usually sold at chain stores that cater to the mass market and may not have QC checks. It may be worthwhile checking out printers and office suppliers close to commercial-industrial estates. They are only a little dearer but well worth it for the quality.

The lowest rate for photocopying is at Officeworks, much cheaper than private setups, universities and public libraries. Even though you may have chosen to use the self service machines, helpful staff are always close by to offer advice if you encounter any technical difficulties. They also cater to customers who require more sophisticated printing.

- c g

Open Book Exam - the false sense of security

Touted as a more accurate gauge of students' understanding rather than regurgitating what they had rote learnt, open book examinations are becoming more popular.

The tested favour open book examinations believing that it would be less stressful with information accessible should they get stumped. However, having through a few "open book examinations", I know that it is not as "easy" as it sounds. On the contrary, it gives the examination candidate a false sense of security and not making adequate and appropriate preparations.

An open book question rarely asks of the students to 'describe’ or or even ‘explain’. That would be too easy to simply copy the answers from the books. Only at elementary levels would the examiner be interested in knowing if the candidate has good memory of the details. Instead the examiner offering open book examination is interested to know if the candidate could apply theories and rules to problem solving. Your thinking skills are expected to be exhibited to impress upon the marker. The answers may not be straight forward, but are open-ended. Candidates are therefore expected to demonstrate critical analysis in their answers.

Hence, studying in preparation for such "free" form of examinations require a lot more time. You need to know how to navigate through the books under time contraint.

Summarise all the main points of lecture notes substantiated by details from the texts, references and readings. Pay special attention to issues highlighted by the teacher. It may be a tedious process. But hey, there's not gain without any pain.

Drawing up neatly or better still if you could type and print the page index of subject matter and topics with reference to all the text books would be very helpful. More often than not, you would notice many candidates frantically flipping through the book. This will not happen if you had a handy page guide. There won't be enough time for last minute search.

Bringing in many books into the exam hall would only serve as comforter, pacifier, a toy to calm your nerves. They are just materials of last resort when you need to quote details which you have forgotten. You don't have time to start reading through the book for the first or second time in the entire course. That's a no-no. This can cause panic attacks under stressful exam conditions.

A word of caution : open book exam is not the equivalent of open to discussion exam. I feel sorry not responding to neighbouring candidates trying to signal and elicit answers. The only persons candidates could request for help are the teacher and invigilator who may apply stringent regulations on conduct during examinations. Partaking in discussions albeit in an open book exam can result in disqualification and confiscation of exam scripts. Those who don't get caught are lucky but I won't take the risk and push my luck.

As with all examinations, try not to cram in readings till the last minute. Breathing exercises and meditation five minutes before exam commenceswill help to clear your mind and perform better.

Laptop - the way to go, prevails over desktops

Laptops are ostensibly getting more popular in the last two years because of the vast improvements made in speed, storage space, battery life and weight, significantly closing the gap with desk top. The demand and supply factors are mutually reinforcing. Naturally, more investments would be poured into R&D of laptop computers, which will turn accelerate improvements in technology and present better prices for consumers with volume sales.

I'm no geek but fortunate to be surrounded by some, and so can't help getting sound advice and good deals. These days, one could get a decent, practical, brand name laptop for under $500. With at least 1 G Ram memory, more than 100 G disk space and 10 hour battery, it can adequately meet the needs of most students and professionals on the move. The only inconvenience is charging the battery when not using it. Experimenting with the new toys on the market, it is certainly leaps ahead of a three year desktop.

A $1,500 budget can get you a fairly high end and sophisticated laptop. Compare this with spending $2,000 on a desktop that is not portable, guess what most modern day consumers would choose?

However, procrastinators are advised not to wait too long. If you really need a computer for work, now is probably one of the better times to buy one as the technology has moved to a higher plane and retail trade reeling from the quietness in the aftermath of the stimulus package, are offering great bargains. Also noteworthy is that workers in China who produce the components for electronics may be getting higher pay after some success in their agitation for better work conditions. This is likely to translate into higher prices for the final electronic products in future. Since computers have become a necessity in modern times, as Intel puts it, its demand is becoming more inelastic. Companies are more likely to raise prices to make up for higher labour cost than to maintain prices which will eat into their profits for the consumers' sake.

Boost comprehensive public schools instead of retarding selective and private schools

Calling the state of the education system ''social and academic apartheid'' may seem shocking irresponsible hype, coming from a former high school principal, if we do not listen carefully to his qualification and good suggestions. The message resonates concerns over the dire need to improve comprehensive schools standards by having better support, management, teachers and facilities. But the solutions may be hindered by the chronic problem of state governments not placing enough importance on essential services like education and health.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/selectives-are-causing-academic-apartheid-20100704-zvxm.html

Every year when the selective school enrolment is publicised, the media will focus public attention on the negativity of selective schools. Such wanton rhetoric tend to whip up unwarranted discord and disgruntlement but at a superficial and bigoted level without getting to the root of the problem.

It is a myth to think that private and selective schools only produce geeks and nerds who do not enjoy their childhood and teens. It is no secret that these schools offer all round education, producing excellence in academic results as well as music and sports. To top it all, good, responsible and civic behaviour.

Indeed, you only need to ask the teachers of many public schools who struggle with disciplinary problems and lack of motivation among majority of the students. Parents also have a part to play in imparting good ethics, appreciate the value education and instil responsible behaviour such as : NOT to take drugs, refrain from foul language, stay away from bad company on the streets and not getting pregnant.

Don't we all want the best for our children within our means? It is pathetic that only two state schools - Killara High and Cherrybrook Tech have made it to the top 100 schools in HSC grading. Meanwhile, parents have to make the best use of their resources where the state has failed to provide.

A country needs nerds, geeks, all rounded scholars, tradesman, muscians, farmers and atheletes. Each has their strengths and weaknesses to serve the community well. To suppress and retard the gifted and talented who do not match our ideal model students would not seem fair. Such populist and narrow minded thinking is doomed to failure, or if allowed to spread, would be detrimental to Australia's interest with first rate human resources to sustain our advanced economic status.

Australians are fortunate to have many paths to success through TAFE, business and non-academic careers. The children only need a little more support to excel what they are best at. This is not too much to ask for, I hope.

- Copyright Reserved

Lost and Found Properties - distraction or forgetfulness of the young?

I thought it is unique to our young kids who are ever so forgetful and careless with belongings. After doing a straw poll among friends and their social circle, then did I realise that we are not alone. It feels better but nevertheless remains a concern.

How many times a year have parents got to replace lost uniforms - from head to toe (sweater, jumper, jacket, hat, sports attire, shoes, etc). Having names written on the items is no guarantee that it would be found if they are left in school, the trains, shops, library or random stairs and public seats.

More bizzare cases are loss of wallets containing student card and weekly allowance and school text books which have to be ordered and replaced if they belong to a public state school.

Necessities are fine but we don't have deep pockets to pay for absent-mindedness.

ADHD or plain carelessless?

http://www.cityrail.info/contact_us/lost_property

University of Sydney to downplay academic excellence entry criteria

Many questions that the University of Sydney's "green paper" failed to address include how one defines "disadvantaged" and the weightage subjective interviews and aptitude tests compared to more objective HSC exam.

The University of Sydney wants to introduce US-style quota systems with set targets to increase the number of disadvantaged and regional students, and make greater use of aptitude tests, references and general interviews when admitting students.

A higher education diploma to provide an alternative route to degree-level study for promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds would also be investigated.

Jenny Allum, the principal of SCEGGS Darlinghurst, said the proposals being put forward were too blunt a measure to redress disadvantage.


Larissa Treskin, the principal of James Ruse Agricultural High School, said she was enthusiastic about initiatives ... but she said the university should avoid viewing the HSC as a narrow measurement of ability and focus on its ability to foster critical thinking, problem solving and research skills.


http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/quotas-planned-for-uni-students-20100318-qiff.html

Australian universities to set up campuses in India

This piece of news will please all parties in India and Australia and provide conditions for mending strained bilateral relations following the spate of "coincidental" attacks on Indian students and recent migrants.

AUSTRALIAN universities would be free to set up campuses and issue degrees in one of the world's biggest education markets if an Indian government plan to open up its tertiary education sector to foreign competition wins the support of parliament.

India's national cabinet has approved a bill that would allow
foreign education providers to operate in India amid booming demand for tertiary education. About half of India's 1.15 billion people are under 25 years of age and Kapil Sibal, India's Minister for Human Resource Development, said that 40
million young people will be going to university over the next 10 years in India.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/our-unis-could-set-up-in-india-20100316-qcml.html

Australian universities can sustain its earnings highly dependent on educating foreign students without hurting the sensitivities of some intolerant locals and those concern about competition for jobs.

These graduates who studied in campuses based outside Australia would not enjoy advantages under the immigration points system; applicants must have studied in a local university for at least two years.

http://www.workpermit.com/australia/point_calculator.htm

Previous posts on the subject of migrant students :
http://ausletters.blogspot.com/2010/01/admit-and-capitalise-dealing-with.html