Unimpressive Government Policy

Let me point out that I am not impressed by the Government's education policy There is no doubt that successive governments have taken minimal action on class size and teaching conditions (I have been part-time teaching for 2 years). Almost inevitably the Government has acted in terms of short term economic and political expediency (the secondary teachers' pay offers are a prime example.) Does that mean that we, through the pages of our newspaper should mount an equally pragmatic counter-attack?

Let us have informed debate on the relationship between state and the university. Let us not confuse primary, secondary and tertiary education. Is tertiary education really a right, or is it a privilege? What are the responsibilities of tertiary institutions? Questions of no relevance I hear! Well is the government responsible if because of its cuts in the university budgets, these institutions are forced to put up fees even further next year?

While the complexities of the issues alluded to above have been lost, in a crudely planned campaign rarely discussed in a constructive manner in Salient, the question of student tertiary grants does need urgent attention. The Government's action on grants is a clear example of an ill-thought out, thoroughly undemocratic and pragmatic approach.

It seems inevitable that regulations governing these grants will be shuffled through Parliament during the long vacation when students are least able to mobilise against them. (Well gang that's democratic manipulation - smacks of SRC to me) Our association and its national counterpart must be prepared and empowered to act on our behalf when the Government finally moves.

Peter Beach is incorrect in implying that a broadening of the range of topics in Salient relies entirely on student participation (Editorial, July 30). Why don't Salient staff get off their chuffs, give us less of their own opinions and seek through interviews and guest articles, the opinions of other students and staff members. We look forward to seeing an interview with the Minister of Education replacing personal abuse and we desperately await alternative political analysis to that of the PSA who hide their crude, vulgar and emotional 'Marxist' position behind a barricade of supposedly rational arguments.

Alfred Harris.