Placing a penalty on poetry

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.