[Greens-Media] Education is a human right and a public good - Greens

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Wednesday 18 July 2007

EDUCATION IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND A PUBLIC GOOD - GREENS

Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik has told Parliament today that the Greens support 
a move to inquire into geographical differences in higher education 
participation, but says the issue is "beyond simply geography". 

"The greens believe that education is a human right and a public good.  A 
quality education system promotes equality, social justice and economic 
and social well-being," said Ms Pennicuik.

"Graduates are more likely to accept diversity, and volunteer.  They enjoy 
better health and well-being, they're less likely to be involved in crime 
and they?re more likely to old positive attitudes to health and equality."

"There have always been differences in the rate at which Victorian 
students participate in higher education, based on geography, demography, 
socio-economic and cultural and family factors."

"These differences are not diminishing as they should be, but increasing 
as we see an increasingly stratified education sector."

"An affluent student from a government school in an affluent inner eastern 
suburb has seven times more chance of getting into a medical course than 
from a western suburbs government school."

"Government schools have suffered most from decrease in university places, 
due to deficiency in funding places by the Federal Government. There are 
more students applying and less places available."

"It is the responsibility of the state to provide a fully funded and well 
resourced public education system. If there are gaps in access, equity and 
outcomes for individual or groups of students, then it is the 
responsibility of the government to target the causes of those gaps and 
put in place measures to overcome them," said Ms Pennicuik

Further information:  Sue Pennicuik  0407 000 270




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