What about changing the ratio between academic skills and social skills in schools? A caseworker at Justice Action Mr Gregory Kable said, "To get to the root of why children misbehave is to find out why these children don't relate to others - including the teacher. In order to socialise one needs to relate - and to relate one needs the skills - only then will you get the social atmosphere so very necessary to enable children to go on learning and to stay out of jail" he said.The New South Wales Teachers Federation says the Opposition has identified discipline [?] as a key issue facing schools.
At the Opposition's campaign launch yesterday the Coalition promised to hold a summit to address discipline problems and said the recruitment of additional teachers counted for nothing unless there was mutual respect in the classroom.
But Mr Kable said, "Mutual respect is at the heart of Life Skills and Social Skills and if the end result is discipline then that is your biggest mistake because then you are teaching children how to discipline others opposed to relating to others.
Inviting others into the decision making process means finding answers and solving problems with more information so the outcome is non violent,
Teacher's Federation president Maree O'Hallaran has welcomed the move.
"The Vinson Inquiry identified that about 5 per cent of our young people across the state are causing serious concerns in our schools," she said.
"We need to develop strategies to ensure that those young people are educated and that the rest of the people are able to have their education uninterrupted."
However Ms O'Halloran cautioned against simplistic approaches, saying local schools still need to be able to make their own decisions within the confines of their welfare and discipline policies.
Brogden also said his government would adopt a zero tolerance approach to drugs, alcohol and tobacco use in schools.
A Coalition government would crack down on all areas of school discipline from enforcing uniform regulations to the banning of swearing.
He claimed the number of reported assaults, robberies and incidents of offensive behaviour had risen by 120 per cent between 1995 and 2001, violent behaviour and use of weapons by 46 per cent since 1999, and sick leave taken by teachers citing stress by 49 per cent.
He announced a range of measures, including so-called senior school student contracts for students above the compulsory schooling age "to establish the ethos of mutual responsibility and promote constructive school contribution".
In a similar vein, parenting partnerships, an agreement between parents, teachers and schools setting out the rights and obligations of each party, would be established.
He announced a range of measures, including so-called senior school student contracts for students above the compulsory schooling age "to establish the ethos of mutual responsibility and promote constructive school contribution".
In a similar vein, parenting partnerships, an agreement between parents, teachers and schools setting out the rights and obligations of each party, would be established.
The president of the NSW Teachers Federation, Maree O'Halloran, said the Coalition had identified the main areas of concern to teachers and students in NSW, but that its solutions appeared simplistic.
She said she did not believe it was fair to ask students or parents to sign contracts as public education was an obligation of schools and the government.
She said while schools did not currently use the term "zero tolerance", drugs, alcohol and tobacco were already banned.
By Life Skills 17 March 03
THE CHICKEN: Not all parents have had the education necessary - to pass on to their children - the Skills required - in order to relate - so they can move on to the next stage. To socialise and to be an academic.
It's just a jump to the left. The more ideas a child has the less risks and less resources it takes to achieve a goal. Balance the academic skills with social skills and recognise that some children are behind.
The Kable Report: These children are the same 5 per cent that ends up in jail.
Related:
Getting Justice Wrong DPP make full admissions
Back in May 2001 Nicholas Cowdery QC made an error at law by giving a speech called Getting Justice Wrong at the University of New England, Armidale Thursday, 31 May 2001. Sir Frank Kitto, Lecture now published at the DPP website. At page six, paragraph 3 under the heading:
NSW education professor warns further commitment needed
The author of a report on the New South Wales education system has urged the major political parties to do more for education in the election campaign.
Coalition proposes to exploit children
The Coalition says it would reform juvenile justice in New South Wales to require the courts to "get tough" on juvenile crime.
Take crime talk beyond the bars:'lobby group'
A coalition of academics, crime experts, welfare and church groups is preparing to launch an intensive pre-election campaign aimed at refocusing the attention of NSW politicians from harsh sentencing reforms to crime prevention strategies.
Fiona Stanley, the children's crusader
It is all about prevention. As Fiona Stanley sees it, with one in five Australian teenagers experiencing significant mental health problems, there are just not enough treatment services to cope with the demand.
NSW A-G moves to stop criminals and ex-criminals selling stories
From next month criminals or ex-criminals who try to profit (earn a living for paid work, like writing a book etc..) from their crimes in New South Wales will have the proceeds confiscated.
Dropouts face life of poverty,say CEOs
At least 80,000 young Australians likely to leave school early over the next decade risk forming an underclass who face long-term unemployment and poverty, business leaders have warned.
Parents call for feedback on social skills
Parents are calling for the same level of feedback on their children's social development as on their academic progress, according to a national survey.
RESTORING TRUE JUSTICE:
Australian prisons are fast becoming the new asylums of the third millennium. The prison industry is booming, while Australia spends far less on mental health services than similar countries.
The punishment: Is the 'crime'
The punishment is the crime according to retired chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia Justice Alistair Nicholson. "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault".
Mr. & Mrs. Mandatory Sentencing
Well congratulations to the bride and groom. Could you please be upstanding and raise your glasses for Mr. And Mrs. Mandatory.
Call to update suicide prevention strategy: study
A four-year study of suicides by people under the age of 18 in New South Wales, has found little difference between rates of suicide in rural and regional areas and cities.
NSW police cracked up on antisocial behaviour
Hundreds of extra police will be on the streets of Sydney from this afternoon as part of a major blitz on crime and activities as "antisocial behaviour" says the ABC online last Fri 24 May 2002.
The Seed
Respect, you only get out what you have put in. What about Life Skills, Communication and Conflict Resolution. Evolution, perhaps some children and adults miss the whole or part of the course. I did, and so how surprised do you think I was when I realised my parents missed the course as well. Things like Compromise, Win Win, Empathy, and Love. Invisible energy and other skills like public speaking, how to Relate, Assuming, Blaming, Forgiveness, Freedom and Discrimination. This is how I learned respect. If you don't know what it is then how do you relate?
Youth Suicide
I would like to suggest firstly that starting at the root in a holistic pattern so that everyone in our community is included and a seed is planted to prevent our youth dying.
The Tree of Dreams
Come make a wish. I know it will come true, it did for me...
