Private school obsession devalues regional public schools

As a graduate of Tamworth High School, UNE Armidale and a maths teacher I commend RBA Governor Michele Bullock’s support of both the much maligned public education sector and a regional university (“RBA boss on the teacher who inspired her”, August 11). Even better, she was taught maths and gives credit to, an alumnus of Tamworth High School and UNE. Teacher Kel (Steve) Bastock was also a handy rugby league player in addition to his obvious teaching skills. The recent trend to private schools has devalued the quality education provided by public schools, particularly in regional areas. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

For motivation of the young to develop interests, to work hard and aspire to a particular career, Michele Bullock’s conclusion- “the teachers are what it’s all about” – is absolutely correct. However, while she had the benefit of excellent inspirational teacher at public school she chose private school education for her children. This is indicative of a serious problem. While private schools can attract the best teachers with remuneration and conditions many public schools are struggling to attract staff. Unless the parents have it and can fund a private school education their children are less likely to meet that inspirational teacher. Australia is of course the loser. Geoff Harding, Chatswood

Hard rules

Herein is an example of principles versus rules (“Public sector right-to-disconnect advice goes further than the legislation, employers warn”, August 11). Everyone would say that the principle that employees should have a right to disconnect is reasonable. And the legislation has been couched in those terms. As with all such principles, there will be grey areas over what is “reasonable”, but the regulators, acting pragmatically, should reduce the size of those grey areas over time. That is what the guidelines are meant to do. But those, like the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who don’t like the pragmatic principle, prefer to treat the whole lot as rules. That way, they are able to exploit any little loophole to their advantage. And when it is closed they will claim that the whole system is too complex. Of course, they would prefer if there were neither rules nor principles in the first place, so they could carry on doing what they have been. David Rush, Lawson

Most integrate

I thought Parnell Palme McGuinness’ article made sense until I came to the part where she objected to a proposal to conduct the Australian citizenship test in languages other than English (“Successful multiculturalism takes work. Just ask the UK, once the riots stop”, August 11). This test for 18 to 59-year-olds was introduced to assess the prospective citizen’s English and understanding of “Australian values”. It is tokenism to pacify the lobby that believes all problems are caused by migrants and to get tough with “migrants who do not speak English, rort our welfare system and do not integrate”. If we are really serious about assessing language skills there are tests that are serious contenders than questions whose answers can be memorised and regurgitated in the test. How answering five questions on Australian values can ensure these have been imbibed by new citizens beats me. Not tests but displaying Australian values in our dealings with new citizens, including of a fair-go, are better ways to ensure they are inducted into our culture and become productive and law-abiding contributors to their new homeland. It’s not ‘many migrants’ but nearly all who do become fully part of their new home and only a handful that don’t. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy

The jury is out on the importance of being able to speak English in our multicultural society, but it could aid a person to feel they belong to their new country – to something bigger than themselves and their own family and friends. Although, as we saw with the Mediterranean migrants after WW2, limited English only posed a problem for the adults and not their school aged children who rapidly pick up their new tongue, and it is to benefit their children that most choose to migrate. While the migrant must take responsibility for their decision to move to a country whose culture could well be inimical to their values, we as a nation must take responsibility for diminishing the inevitable conflicts which might occur by dampening down racism and bigotry wherever it arises. In encouraging mass migration, western nations have to accept that this is the price we pay for all its numerous benefits, and also accept that our traditional monoculture with its “liberal values” will gradually be modified as a result. Lyndall Nelson, Goulburn

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