Education
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Minister vows to ‘weed out the bottom feeders’ in university system
Private colleges have been told to stop recruiting fake overseas students within six months or risk losing their licences.
- by David Crowe
Latest
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Banks open to overlooking student debt in home loans – but there’s a catch
The banks say it should be up to financial regulators to determine whether student debt gets special treatment in mortgage assessments.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos and Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Revealed: Sydney’s most overcrowded primary and high schools
While one public school has hit 2200 students, others are sitting underused with room for hundreds more pupils. Search the full list to see how crowded your school is.
- by Lucy Carroll and Nigel Gladstone
This Australian uni is considering expanding into Saudi Arabia. It’s caused a stir back home
The institution was the first foreign university to be granted a licence to explore opening in the authoritarian kingdom.
- by Daniella White
Opinion
Until Labor arrests the ballooning cost of uni, students are still being short-changed
It remains to be seen how much difference a sometimes-reduced rate of indexation is going to make. Certainly, some. But the root of the problem remains.
- by Rachel Withers
Completion bonuses on the cards in university overhaul
Education Minister Jason Clare’s vision for getting more disadvantaged students into universities will be outlined in next week’s budget.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Forty-nine students got 99.95 ATARs. These are the HSC subjects they chose
Aside from compulsory English, there was one common subject among the elite group.
- by Christopher Harris
Western Sydney University announces new vice chancellor
Professor George Williams AO, a current deputy vice chancellor at the University of NSW, has been announced as the new leader of Western Sydney University.
- by Josefine Ganko
Opinion
The government’s HECS change is good, but another tweak is still needed
Timing is important – and that’s one of the clear shortfalls in the federal government’s surprise for young people with student loans.
- by Millie Muroi
‘They’d be so proud’: The 10-year-olds accepting challenge laid for them 40 years ago
One school keeping an ancient Indigenous language alive is helping to close the gap through cultural education and it hopes to spread the joy.
- by Catherine Naylor
Student incomes to receive further government boost as Labor goes after youth vote
Education Minister Jason Clare also warned any intimidation on university campuses was “intolerable”.
- by Angus Thompson and Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Sydney private schools harness parent donations for scholarships
A Herald analysis of financial reports from more than 20 schools shows scholarship and bursary budgets have grown to a total value of more than $200 million.
- by Lucy Carroll and Nigel Gladstone
Labor wipes $3b off student loans as cost-of-living relief measure
Facing blowback over its agenda to help financially insecure Millennials, Labor has revealed a major change to the calculation of student loan indexation.
- by Paul Sakkal
Exclusive
School students missed more than 9 million days of learning last year. Here’s why
Attendance levels remain below pre-pandemic levels, while a third of public school students are leaving before finishing year 12.
- by Lucy Carroll and Nigel Gladstone
Opinion
I’ve seen the fear of Jewish students and colleagues: One academic’s plea to uni protesters
I am no fan of Benjamin Netanyahu and the war he is prosecuting, but I am deeply concerned by the illiberal and simplistic turn that the protests at Sydney University are taking.
- by Catharine Lumby
‘Part of who we are’: Why Sydney Uni vice chancellor allows protest camp to stay
Vice chancellor Mark Scott says a few pro-Palestinian student activists were under investigation for inappropriate behaviour but their protest campsite will remain on campus.
- by Daniella White
‘No-go areas for Jewish students’: Pro-Palestinian university camps grow
The number of pro-Palestinian campsites have now been set up at four universities, prompting calls from Jewish groups for them to be dismantled.
- by Christopher Harris
‘No blank cheques’: Clare ties extra school funding to help for disadvantaged students
NSW and Victoria claim that onerous reporting conditions tied to the proposed 2.5 per cent funding increase will only add to pressures on teachers.
- by Angus Thompson
How this Sydney school doubled its top scores in HSC maths
The number of students tackling advanced and extension maths has plummeted to record lows in the past three years – but there is a way to reverse the trend.
- by Lucy Carroll
‘The village isn’t around’: Parents book drivers for afternoon juggle
More parents are turning to ride-share services for children, as the end of working from home puts pressure on families.
- by Mary Ward
Male anger problem needs radical action
A royal commission is a good idea, but only if the government commits to implementing the recommendations. This needs to be a whole of community approach, not just whole of government.
Exclusive
‘Shortchanging kids’: States demand extra $12b in united front over schools
States are accusing the federal government of shortchanging students as they seek a 5 per cent increase in school funding from the Commonwealth.
- by Angus Thompson and Natassia Chrysanthos
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Inside the plan that could rein in vice chancellor salaries and overhaul uni boards
A new taskforce to police how universities are run will be pitched to state education ministers, as figures reveal the extent of corporatisation of university councils.
- by Sherryn Groch
Private school students were asked what they’d eaten for breakfast. Later that day, they were scored
A study quizzed students about the nutritional quality of their breakfast and then made them sit a test later in the day.
- by Christopher Harris
‘Our university is scared’: Sydney Uni students join wave of US college encampments
Colleges across the United States have been rocked by mass protests at institutions which began at Columbia University on April 17 and quickly spread to other institutions.
- by Daniella White
Exclusive
Student visa crackdown risks bilateral relations, says former top diplomat
The Albanese government’s fix for migration has come under fire from the opposition and former high commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell.
- by Angus Thompson
Chalmers prepares for weak economy to hit budget bottom line
Jim Chalmers is on track to deliver successive budget surpluses, but a slowing economy may force the nation’s finances back into the red.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Unis ban Indian student applications as visa rejections hit record high
Some universities, including at least one prestigious Group of Eight institution, have taken the drastic step of banning or limiting applications from countries deemed at high risk of visa refusal.
- by Daniella White
Record 18,500 students sit selective school test on paper for last time
Selective school and opportunity class testing will move online for the first time in 2025.
- by Lucy Carroll
Schools have been ordered to use this teaching method. Will staff comply?
After decades of the reading wars, another ideological culture battle is set to ignite when teachers return from their school holidays.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
Fewer girls enrolled in opportunity classes as test comes under review
The gender gap in NSW’s public school opportunity classes is growing, with the proportion of girls in the classes falling to 39.5 per cent.
- by Lucy Carroll
Exclusive
Parent’s anger over child joining school prayer group without consent
A Muslim community leader has questioned whether NSW public high schools are doing enough to guard against extremism among students.
- by Carrie Fellner and Lucy Carroll
‘Simpler and fairer’: Albanese flags HECS changes in budget relief
The prime minister says he will announce soon a response to a recommended overhaul of HECS as calls come from the crossbench to look at wiping student debt.
- by Angus Thompson
Opinion
I made mistakes at university, just not enough of them
The mistakes you make during uni will shape your life, in big and small ways. So don’t overthink it – just enjoy the ride.
- by Bella Westaway
Exclusive
Whistleblower professor accused of ‘serious misconduct’ sues Sydney Uni
A leading brain researcher is suing the University of Sydney after he was fired for “serious misconduct”. He says it was in retaliation for whistleblowing.
- by Daniella White
Part-time work during HSC should boost university options
One vice chancellor says ATARs should not be the only factor for university entry, as Harvey Norman’s chief executive says her company will donate millions of dollars to help disadvantaged girls reach higher education.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
NSW cut public school budgets. Now it’s asking for an extra $8 billion
The NSW government and Commonwealth are at loggerheads over funding contributions to the state’s public schools.
- by Lucy Carroll
Opinion
Public schools have an image problem, even without funding cuts
Enrolments at public schools have been dropping and this is cited as a key reason behind a slashing of schools’ budgets, revealed to principals in an all-staff note earlier this week.
- by Alexandra Smith
Editorial
Minns must explain how cutting school budgets is in Labor’s DNA
Reports that NSW public schools will have their budgets slashed by up to $148 million at first glance risks making a mockery of Premier Chris Minns’ election pledge to improve public education.
- The Herald's View
School budgets slashed by $148 million as deputies forced back to classroom
Thousands of deputy and assistant principals will be forced back into teaching roles to help deal with chronic staffing shortages in NSW public schools.
- by Lucy Carroll
This school hall burnt down. Then the parents had to pay
Principals are grappling with smaller budgets, with parents asked to pay for basics such as textbooks.
- by Christopher Harris
‘They can’t afford the rent’: Meet the teachers demanding a 25 per cent pay rise
Some are paid $35,000 less than their peers in other schools and interstate.
- by Christopher Harris
The parenting decision that has left Vaucluse Public with more funding than schools in Penrith
Numerous schools in Sydney’s east are bringing in more taxpayer cash per student than some of Sydney’s most disadvantaged pockets, a Sun-Herald analysis can reveal.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
‘Frankenstein’s bride’: Student visa architect takes aim at Labor’s uni clampdown
The man who helped create the university risk ratings in 2016 said they were meant to help streamline student visa applications, not be used for a migration crackdown.
- by Angus Thompson
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Creative kids are confident kids. Experts explain why
Empowering young people to explore their creativity uplifts their confidence and wellbeing too.
- by Michelle Bateman
Exposed: How simple it is for cheats to buy a university essay
Despite authorities closing hundreds of essay cheating websites, the purchasing of assignments continues apace.
- by Daniella White
Exclusive
‘It shouldn’t take a kid to be killed’: Warning over bridge cycleway choke point
The southern Harbour Bridge bike ramp, promised in 2016, is still unbuilt, and parents at Fort Street public are in despair.
- by Nigel Gladstone
The steps being taken to get better treatment for Australia’s autistic people
Australia has its first assistant minister for autism and is crafting its first national autism strategy. How the rest of society steps up will be crucial.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
This university newspaper is ‘censored’ by a marketing team. Now, students are fighting back
UNSW’s student publication has barely published in months and a staff for 2024 has not been appointed.
- by Daniella White
Fighting the ‘allure’ of fast fashion, teenagers start own op shop
The average Australian sends 10 kilograms of clothing to landfill each year. These classmates are hoping to reverse that.
- by Mary Ward