❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses declining university enrolments in science, agriculture, and environmental science, prompting inquiry into government strategies and school initiatives to encourage students in these fields. The Minister deflects blame to federal funding cuts and highlights existing curriculum review.
AnsweredQoN 850Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY ENROLMENTS
With falling university enrolments in science, agriculture and environmental science, as detailed in The West Australian dated 3 December 2001 - (1) Is the minister disappointed that students are not selecting these three tertiary courses that some people consider vital to the health and wealth of the Western Australian economy? (2) What strategies can schools put in place to encourage students to select these three courses as future career paths? (3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
With falling university enrolments in science, agriculture and environmental science, as detailed in The West Australian dated 3 December 2001 - (1) Is the minister disappointed that students are not selecting these three tertiary courses that some people consider vital to the health and wealth of the Western Australian economy? (2) What strategies can schools put in place to encourage students to select these three courses as future career paths? (3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(1) Is the minister disappointed that students are not selecting these three tertiary courses that some people consider vital to the health and wealth of the Western Australian economy? (2) What strategies can schools put in place to encourage students to select these three courses as future career paths? (3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(2) What strategies can schools put in place to encourage students to select these three courses as future career paths? (3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
(1) Is the minister disappointed that students are not selecting these three tertiary courses that some people consider vital to the health and wealth of the Western Australian economy? (2) What strategies can schools put in place to encourage students to select these three courses as future career paths? (3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(2) What strategies can schools put in place to encourage students to select these three courses as future career paths? (3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(3) Does the Government have any plans and strategies to encourage students to take up career paths that are strategically important to Western Australia? (4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(4) If so, what are they; and, if not, why not? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(1) The biggest source of disappointment highlighted in The West Australian report of 3 December 2001, “Students lose out in uni places squeeze” is the Commonwealth Government, whose relentless squeezing of university funding over the past six years, particularly in Western Australia, has led to the large and expanding unmet demand for university education in this State. On the specific issue of the supply of and demand for university places in science, agriculture and environmental science, the news report does not say that fewer students are selecting these courses, but that fewer students have applied compared with previous years. If Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia fail to fill the number of places they have made available in these three areas with quality applicants by the beginning of the next academic year, that will be cause for disappointment and concern for the universities and the relevant industry sectors that employ graduates in these areas. (2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(2) It would not be appropriate for the schools to embark on specific targeted strategies to encourage students to select science, agriculture and environmental science to the exclusion of other career options. Schools aim to ensure that all students keep open as many career options as their abilities, interests and achievements allow. Beyond that, career choice by young people is a multifaceted phenomenon. The influences include parents, older siblings, friends and acquaintances, the media, salary levels and opportunities for advancement, to name just a few. Many of these influences are beyond the capacity of schools to change. However, Western Australia’s school system is exceptionally capable of providing all the necessary preparatory studies for school students to enter these three fields of study at university level. (3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(3) Yes. The Curriculum Council has almost finalised an exceptionally thorough review of post-compulsory education in Western Australia. It is expected that the recommendations of the report of this review will identify and address, wherever necessary, any impediments in the current system to achieving positive and close links between school studies and post-school study and career options in all areas of endeavour, including science, agriculture and environmental science. It should be noted in this context that plans are not restricted to selected areas of university education, but include pathways to the vocational education and training sector, including workplace learning while still at school. (4) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
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