Introduction
Education is an essential tool in a nation’s progress socially, economically, and culturally. It develops the community by providing knowledge and skills that can be transferred to the workforce and entrepreneurial ventures enabling citizens to obtain a living and boosting economic growth. Socially, education shapes people’s attitudes, personalities, and psychology leading to healthy socio-cultural and economic interactions within the nation and globally. As a significant aspect of national progress, education is crucial, and countries require effective education systems that offer quality education for academic achievement, social skills, and cultural and economic development. Australian education is among the best globally, offering quality education that has led to the growth and development of the nation socially, culturally, and economically. The outstanding education system is attributed to adequate learning resources, teaching styles, educational levels, and methods of valuing student achievement and awarding qualifications. This essay explores the various attributes that contribute to Australia’s outstanding education, including its mode of valuing success, method of instruction, individualistic education, teaching styles, and teachers’ roles to demonstrate their effectiveness in influencing quality education and the country’s socioeconomic well-being.
Australia’s Education System
Australian education consists of a four-tiered system from preschool. The first level is the primary school, which includes learning for eight or seven years. The level begins with kindergarten to the sixth or seventh year, followed by level two, consisting of six years in secondary school. Most children are enrolled in preschool between the ages of four and six since the government dictates that all children start school before six. Education at the primary school level focuses on teaching and developing essential skills in numeracy, literacy, and social skills (Slemp et al., 2017). The students learn about their environment and the outside world, which provides a foundation for secondary and higher learning. Most students finish primary school level at twelve or eleven years before they can join junior secondary school. Children below the age of five who are not enrolled in preschool can attend bush schools, particularly those from indigenous communities (Miller et al., 2017). Bush schools enable the learners to play outdoors and engage in craft activities that enhance their cognitive skills. Thus, they can be prepared to enroll in preschool with substantial knowledge of their surroundings and the world.
The second level is divided into two and entails four years of junior secondary and two years of senior secondary school, totaling six years. Secondary school offers more specialized education than primary school as students’ progress toward higher learning and the job market. On completion of secondary education, students are awarded a certificate that enables them to enroll in the next educational level (Slemp et al., 2017). Students can join advanced-level learning institutions depending on their academic achievement and career preferences.
The tertiary tier comprises vocational education and training, colleges, and universities, the highest level of education. Tertiary institutions offer diplomas, degrees, associate degrees, master’s honors, and bachelor’s degrees in diverse areas. Commonly pursued areas include engineering, nursing, psychology, technology, and accountancy (Study in Australia TV, 2020). The education system provides vocational education where students who may not qualify for higher education enroll and develop transferable skills for the job market without attending university. Vocational courses allow students to obtain hands-on skills and expertise in various areas, including plumbing services, building and construction, woodwork, catering, beauty therapy, cosmetics application, and welding (Study in Australia TV, 2020; Coetzer et al., 2019). To that end, the four-tier system ensures all students obtain quality education and receive various qualification awards, which enhance employment opportunities and socio-economic well-being.
Educational institutions are under the Australian Education Act (AEC) legislation in charge of funding and policymaking. Under the AEC, the federal government is responsible for funding all public education institutions from the primary level to higher learning. The government provides partial funding for preschoolers to facilitate quality care. The government offers partial funding for higher and secondary education and provides learning resources that ensure quality education (Miller et al., 2017). Finally, a student in VET receives supplementary funding, which can enable them to acquire specific skills and expertise that is transferable to the labor market. With government funding, the education system guarantees quality education by supporting students financially and providing resources that enhance learning.
Individualistic Education and Student Qualification Framework
The Australian education system entails Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), where each student’s performance is determined by individual effort. Unlike collective education, where a student works in groups and obtains a collective award or academic certification, Australia’s education system emphasizes self-reliance to achieve personal goals (Kahu & Nelson, 2017). Students are taught as a group in class and given individual tasks and assessments to determine each student’s capability and academic prowess. Therefore, each student is responsible for academic achievement and promoting quality education and socioeconomic progress since every student will pursue academic excellence.
The education system has specific qualifications for each academic level. The body in charge of determining students’ achievement is the Australian qualification framework (AQF), established in 1995 (Coetzer et al., 2019). The framework determines students’ qualifications from secondary school, tertiary and vocational learning, and higher education. Academic achievers obtain certification awards that facilitate enrollment to another level of education. A certificate from AQF indicates qualification for higher learning graduates and can be used in career advancement and employment. Thus, the AQF facilitates interconnection between educational levels and students’ qualifications which enhances the transition to the next level and matches students with suitable careers enhancing the quality of education and national progress socially and economically.
General Teaching Methods and the Role of Teachers in Australia
Generally, the Australian teaching method is characterized by instructor-directed learning. The educator delivers knowledge and skills as a professional, and students internalize the theoretical knowledge to enhance their practical skills. The teacher is the ultimate decision maker regarding content delivery which must focus on expected students’ outcomes and objectives of the curriculum. The teachers are in charge of planning and preparing learning programs that ensure the completion of the course content according to the set education curriculum. Consequently, the teachers lead lessons for students with different abilities and ensure all students’ needs are met according to the curriculum’s objectives (Kahu & Nelson, 2017). For instance, teachers dealing with students with special needs are in charge of developing the course content and learning objectives, ensuring students’ achievement according to their abilities. As the ultimate decision-makers for course content, Australian teachers give assessments and reports on learners’ progress, determining their academic achievement. Therefore, the teacher-centered instructional method allows teachers to assess student achievement individually, contributing to quality education in Australia.
Conclusion
The Australian education system is among the most effective and quality education systems globally. The system consists of four levels: primary school through secondary school to higher learning. The schools receive adequate funds from the federal government, which facilitates quality learning through the acquisition of resources and student support financially. The system involves individualistic learning, where students are responsible for their academic outcomes. Although the students learn collectively in one classroom, each learner performs individual assessments and final exams, determining their academic qualifications. The learning method employed in Australian schools is teacher-centered, involving the tutor giving instructions and making final arguments and course content decisions. Therefore, the teachers are in charge of preparing programs and course content, which ensure the acquisition of relevant knowledge according to student expectations and the education curriculum
References
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Slemp, G. R., Chin, T.-C., Kern, M. L., Siokou, C., Loton, D., Oades, L. G., Vella-Brodrick, D., & Waters, L. (2017). Positive education in Australia: Practice, measurement, and future directions. Social and Emotional Learning in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, 101–122. Web.
Study in Australia TV. (2020). Ep 2: Australian Education System [Video]. YouTube. Web.