The latest change in Australian
university fees is a sad reflection on the thinking — or probably lack of it —
amongst our leaders.
Unlike some commentators, I do not
believe that the massive increase in fees for humanities courses will deter
those who want to pursue that line of study.
As higher education expert Andrew Norton
pointed out, the choice of course reflects students’ interests.
“You are not going to do something that
will bore you for three years and then bore you for another 40 simply because
the course is cheaper,” Norton said.
He is right, but there is a more
fundamental aspect to all this — the devaluing of the concept of education
itself in the minds of the Ministers responsible for these changes.
The feeling that has now taken hold in
the Government is that universities should be conveyor belts churning out
graduates to fulfil its endless parroting of “jobs, jobs, jobs”.
Ministers demand that young people should
be worshipping at the altar of STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) and other subjects — history, music, art and so on — are not only
less worthy, but penalties should apply for those who waste the country’s time
by engaging in them.
There is no argument with promoting STEM
subjects in schools as there will certainly be rewarding occupations for those
who have an aptitude for them.
What should be vigorously rejected is
that STEM is the only way to fulfilment and indeed acceptance in some mythical
society of the future.
Australia does need more scientists,
engineers and mathematicians.
It also needs its philosophers,
musicians, ballerinas and sculptors.
The study of Shakespearian drama, the
poetry of Blake, the history of art, and the ideas and influence of
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is not wasteful of our talents or irrelevant to our
future.
It is through the study of humanities
that we come to an understanding of the world and of ourselves. It has enriched
countless lives down the ages.
In the past it has flourished because
there were people who appreciated and cared for it. If neglected it may well wither
and fade.
To put obstacles in the way of those who
would seek that wisdom in the future is small minded and ignorant.
We should expect better of those we have
chosen to lead us.
