Education
This school doubled its NAPLAN high achievers. Now its techniques are spreading
About 30 schools across NSW have formed a grassroots network to share maths lesson plans and run professional learning for teachers and school leaders.
- by Lucy Carroll
Latest
This Sydney university wants to build 1000 apartments. Locals are up in arms
A dramatic stoush has broken out over a proposal for two student housing towers on Anzac Parade next to a light rail stop, UNSW and acting school NIDA.
- by Michael Koziol
Exclusive
How much screen time is too much? This is the answer to every parent’s question
New data reveals how Australian schools rank among OECD nations for the time students spend on digital devices in classrooms.
- by Lucy Carroll and Robyn Grace
Australian universities are under siege from all sides. Are they powerless in the face of political attacks?
The federal government’s use of international student numbers to slash migration puts universities’ business models at risk. Here’s why.
- by Daniella White
Newington College co-ed fallout leads to Supreme Court stoush
Opponents of Newington’s decision to admit girls won a Supreme Court battle against the college’s old boys’ council last week.
- by Kishor Napier-Raman and Noel Towell
Nearly half of Australian school students failed this science test. Can you pass?
The latest National Assessment Program report in science literacy found about a third of year 6 students say they do not have science lessons every week.
- by Lucy Carroll and Robyn Grace
Student campers reject Sydney University’s pledge to review defence ties
The university said its offer to review its defence ties was more comprehensive than ones accepted by other encampments across Australia.
- by Daniella White
Opinion
What’s the point of going to uni? It’s a question I’m still asking
I had gone to school with people who thought tertiary education was something to be admired. What surprised me, when I actually arrived, was how pointless the whole thing seemed.
- by Flynn Shan Benson
How the changes to higher education debts will affect you
How will the changes to HECS indexation actually work? And how much do you stand to benefit? Here’s a quick guide.
- by Rachel Clun
Exclusive
Colleges face mass closures as students from whole continents banned
Hundreds of private colleges face closure as the government pushes ahead with its plan to slash migration.
- by Daniella White
Former NASA boss arrives to boost Australian space race
Lt Gen Larry James has moved to Australia to increase our teaching and research capability.
- by Stephen Brook
Sydney pro-Palestinian students suspended after classes ‘significantly disrupted’
The university says some students have gone beyond the bounds of acceptable behaviour in protesting against the Israel-Gaza war.
- by Daniella White
Thousands of Australians want a place at a top US university. Here’s how Rizina got hers
Australian students vying for entry to elite US and UK universities are beginning their college preparations from as young as 12.
- by Daniella White
Opinion
I support the right to protest, but these Melbourne Uni students should be expelled
What’s now occurring at the university has crossed a line and is negatively impacting many other students. An environment that legitimises antisemitism has been fostered.
- by Matthew Bach
Exclusive
‘A lot of angst’: Sydney principals spooked as school funds vanish
The removal of funds from schools’ bank accounts comes after a funding freeze and coincides with a $10,000 pay rise for teachers.
- by Christopher Harris
‘Girls are struggling the most’: What’s really going on in our schools
Australian teenagers are more likely to feel unsafe and bullied at school than their international peers, while schoolgirls are highly anxious without their digital devices.
- by Robyn Grace and Lucy Carroll
Nearly half of Sydney Uni’s students come from overseas
The institution was the only NSW university to post a surplus in 2023, although it underpaid casual academics about $70 million.
- by Daniella White
Opinion
Push to ditch physical books reignites tablet versus textbook debate
The proliferation of technology in classrooms leaves educators facing the question of how to make the most of the ways it can support learning without increasing students’ exposure to the negatives.
- by The Herald's View
Exclusive
Parents push back after school’s decision to ditch books for screens
An inner west public primary school has told parents that students will use an e-library rather than physical books for their home reading program.
- by Lucy Carroll
‘Love or lust’: Travelling chastity preacher at schools sparks parent backlash
The virtues of modesty and virginity will be discussed at the talks, which parents have criticised as outdated.
- by Christopher Harris and Lucy Carroll
Lecturer sacked over Nazi swastika incident loses bid to get reinstated
Controversial political economy academic Tim Anderson’s job was terminated after he showed students slides featuring the symbol imposed over the Israeli flag.
- by Daniella White
‘Chaos reigns’: The countries that have dodged Australia’s student visa crackdown
The government wants universities to cut their reliance on this market. It’s also a country with one of the highest visa approval rates.
- by Daniella White
Graphic content
A boy forced himself on a girl at a NSW high school. He was allowed to continue attending
Schools still don’t know how to respond to sexual assault between classmates, two years after the state government commissioned a review about what to do when a sex assault victim and perpetrator attended the same school.
- by Jordan Baker
Doing hard maths for the HSC isn’t paying off. Here’s how it plays out for your ATAR
A quirk of the ATAR system is effectively punishing ambitious students. Compare these questions to see the difficulty levels.
- by Christopher Harris
Universities face bans for breaching foreign student caps
The dramatic intervention, introduced by Education Minister Jason Clare in parliament, aims to force down migration.
- by Angus Thompson
Opinion
Our friends are shocked we don’t send our son to a private school. Here’s why
As an outsider, I see Australia’s selective and private schools mainly as a mechanism that perpetuates social inequality.
- by Theun Pieter van Tienoven
Exclusive
As schools struggle for teachers, even $28,000 bonuses aren’t enough
A new survey of 6800 educators across NSW shows an increase in teachers leaving public education for a position in a private school.
- by Lucy Carroll
Growing numbers of students with disability to cost $1.1 billion more in school funding
As more students need help, budget figures raise the stakes in tense government negotiations over spending on schools and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
We asked these Australians what they thought of the budget. This is what they told us
We spoke to people about their thoughts and concerns ahead of, and immediately after, the budget. Here’s what they had to say.
- by Olivia Ireland, Josefine Ganko, Jessica McSweeney, Jim Malo, Alex Crowe, Megan Gorrey and Cara Waters
Opinion
Students have a right to protest. Peacefully. On campus. Universities must be defended
Calls for “intifada” are antisemitic, but it is not clear that police should end an entire protest in response to isolated criminal offences.
- by Alan Finkel
Tom once sat at the back of his classroom and cried. He has a message for Australian teachers
If teachers are to win back control of classrooms, they will need more than a well-planned lesson.
- by Christopher Harris and Lucy Carroll
Labor backs compulsory fee payment to student unions
The government is mandating universities pass on 40 per cent of student amenities fees to student unions.
- by Angus Thompson and Natassia Chrysanthos
How the budget affects you – from students to retirees
Young or old, single or married: this is how the 2024 budget will impact your life.
- by Rachel Clun and Olivia Ireland
Cut reliance on Chinese and Indian students, government tells universities
University chiefs are being told to channel international students into courses that fill Australian skills shortages, deepening a dispute over federal plans to cap their annual intake.
- by David Crowe and Daniella White
Exclusive
Labor to unveil university racism review
Tuesday’s budget is expected to include new funding for an investigation of racism in higher education as two teals back Coalition calls for an antisemitism inquiry.
- by Paul Sakkal and Natassia Chrysanthos
Rushi was accused of using AI to cheat. It took him weeks to clear his name
Students are being falsely accused of plagiarism as universities turn to imperfect tools to detect the unauthorised use of AI.
- by Daniella White
‘Ultimate distraction’: Why this top Sydney school has resisted screens in class
While many students are asked to bring their own devices into schools across the state, some are resisting the trend to have iPads or laptops in lessons.
- by Lucy Carroll
Exclusive
Inside Labor’s drastic cap on overseas students – and the urgent meeting it’s triggered
Universities will be forced to stop a surge in overseas students, sparking fears about the impact on the $48 billion industry.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
Expelling problem students sounds impressive. But all it does is pass the buck
In kicking the can of responsibility for the Yarra Valley Grammar students who ranked their female classmates to another school, parents are missing the point.
- by Adam Voigt
Exclusive
International students are trying to stay on in record numbers
Coalition sources said immigration and homeownership would be central to Peter Dutton’s budget-in-reply speech as he develops an anti-“Big Australia” election narrative.
- by Paul Sakkal
HECS burden stifling productivity
Education Minister Jason Clare needs to change our student debt system, not just patch it.
‘Banned’ school heaters still in use across thousands of classrooms
Unflued gas heaters have been banned in other states for their asthma risks, but are still found in more than 1400 NSW schools.
- by Mary Ward
Updated
Australia set to back watered-down United Nations resolution on Palestine
Australian government sources said a watered-down version of the motion contained major concessions by the Palestinians and Arab nations.
- by James Massola and Matthew Knott
Who’s bankrolling Sydney’s private school fees? The bank of nan and pop
More parents are missing school payments as they struggle with massive mortgage payments. Cashed-up baby boomers are here to help.
- by Christopher Harris
Sydney, Monash unis warn students as Dreyfus refuses legal advice
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus noted that people could make a complaint under the Racial Discrimination Act if they were concerned about phrases being used by protesters.
- by James Massola, David Crowe, Daniella White and Sherryn Groch
‘Publish the marks’: Parents bristle at secret selective school entry scores
Parents like Rav Singh are annoyed that his son Veyaan, who sat the test on Thursday, doesn’t know where he stands.
- by Christopher Harris
Student with knife sends Sydney school into lockdown, staff member injured
A Sydney school was sent into lockdown after a student allegedly brought a knife to school. A teacher was cut while disarming the teenager.
- by Perry Duffin
Opinion
When uni students endorse terror, it’s time for political intervention
The university protests in Australia arising from the Israel-Gaza conflict have moved beyond a debate about free speech.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
Uni protests are messy, but they prove that campuses have come back to life
A sad legacy of lockdowns is that too many of us are unable to stop and listen to another side. But the noise of the encampments shows that campuses have come back to life.
- by Alexandra Wake