This Month
Tony Burke labelled ‘racist’ in Western Sydney smear campaign
Burke’s record as immigration minister has led to him being targeted by unidentified pro-Gaza activists as the battle for Watson descends into dirty tricks.
Friendly fire hits Australian universities
Local universities are caught up in Donald Trump’s culture wars. But the threat is partly home-grown and self-inflicted.
After months of resistance, Qld signs on to $2.8b schools package
Australia’s schools will benefit from a $30 billion boost to funding over the next decade after Queensland was the final state to sign up to a national plan.
Unis can walk away from Trump’s demands on research: Varghese
Australia’s former chief diplomat says Donald Trump has the right to impose conditions on research funding, but equally universities must decide what is acceptable.
Unis urge EU pivot after Trump edict
Pressure is building on the federal government to respond to a Trump administration questionnaire that has been sent to Australian researchers.
Universities accuse Trump administration of foreign influence
Australian researchers who receive US federal government funding have been asked to confirm they comply with the president’s anti-DEI, America-first agenda.
This school may have the answer to improving kids’ maths
Teachers can now sign up for a new program from La Trobe University to teach them how to teach the subject – and not before time.
Albanese gets NSW over the line on school funding deal
It’s been over a year of negotiations but the federal government now has all states and territories signed on for a new school funding deal – except one.
February
Research funding body suspends grant to pro-Palestinian academic
Controversial academic Randa Abdel-Fattah, who has said Zionists “have no claim or right to cultural safety”, has had her $870,000 research grant suspended.
Vice chancellors back Coalition plan to put domestic students first
Education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson says a Coalition government would impose tougher caps on international students, have zero tolerance for antisemitism.
People are not stupid or bogans ... it’s us, Shorten tells unis
Bill Shorten and Catherine Livingstone have come to similar conclusions as to why universities are out of favour with the community.
Australia should punt on bold, unproven ideas: Shergold
The Australian Research Council chairman says this country needs to get behind young researchers whose work takes greater risks but offers larger rewards.
Clare to return as Labor’s campaign voice
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Education Minister Jason Clare have been tapped to sell Labor’s message when Anthony Albanese is unavailable or unwilling to front the media.
RBA warning on foreign student cuts
Government policies to reduce the number of overseas students are working, and the Reserve Bank harbours some concerns.
How not to waste Gonski school funding
Additional federal money may unfortunately extend and expand inefficient and ineffective practices rather than lift the quality of teaching.
No, minister – the reading wars are not over
Jason Clare has embraced evidence-based reading instruction, but the Australian school curriculum is holding our education system back.
School retention, attendance rates continue to trend downwards
Fewer students are staying at school until the end and too many don’t turn up for class. Mental health is part of the problem.
$80,000 debt is only part of cost crisis hitting students hard
Jasmine O’Brien is in the second of a five-year degree, holds down two jobs and worries about what her student debt will be when she finally graduates.
‘Reading wars are over’: Clare close to multibillion-dollar schools deal
Jason Clare is on the verge of achieving what his eight predecessors failed to do: create a nationally consistent and fair approach.
We asked 4 experts to mark Labor on education. Here’s what they said
Anthony Albanese says education is one of his greatest accomplishments in his first term in government. We asked four experts if that adds up.