- Australian Conservatives believe in a ‘back to basics’ approach to education.
- We believe in the importance of reading, writing and maths as the foundation of learning.
- We need to unclutter our school curricula back to when student achievement was higher.
- We believe in the importance of children understanding the values of Western culture.
- Education is a state government responsibility and Australian Conservatives support limiting Federal funding to the provision of a universal student voucher system.
- We support the removal of all political indoctrination from the curriculum.
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Back to basics approach
The early years of education should concentrate on the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. These are the foundations for a child’s learning career. We understand the value of unstructured, voluntary play, particularly outdoors, in developing healthy well-adjusted and resilient young people.
Secondary education should focus on developing a child’s fact-based knowledge, critical thinking and conceptual and analytical skills whilst preparing them for a productive adulthood.
Our children need their school curricula to be rationalised and de-cluttered back towards what they used to be when student achievement was higher. This could free up resources and school cost structures to invest in rewarding better teachers and performance, or lowering tuition fees.
Australian Conservatives support the return to tried and tested methods of teaching.
Australian Conservatives respect and acknowledge the importance of Western civilisation in the development of Australia and establishment of our civil society. Every Australian child must know what underpins our enviable way of life.
Exposure to Western literature, music and art is essential for any child growing up in Australia.
We want parents to have genuine choice in the school their children attend. We advocate a voucher system to increase competition, raise standards and give parents more say in their child’s education.
No more political indoctrination
Educational institutions are now used as a way to channel political propaganda on our children (such as the discredited ‘Safe Schools’ and ‘Respectful Relationships’ programs). We believe such indoctrination is wholly inappropriate for a school environment and are committed to their removal.
Universities must be made financially accountable for the educational outcomes they provide. They have an obligation to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to secure jobs in the field of their study. We support increased choice and competition in the higher education market.
We support vocational education programs that are successful in getting young people into jobs. We support changes to apprenticeship programs – including allowing industry to play a larger, more pivotal role in giving and tailoring courses at vocational institutions – to better align training with the needs of apprentices, their future careers, industry and the Australian economy.
We support treating apprentices and trainees as students and the principle of income supplementation whilst training to provide a supportive earning and learning environment.