Standing Committee on Education and Training

Inquiry into the education of boys
Media release, 11 April 2002

Griffith area teachers, students and officials talk about boys' education

Boys are often blamed for disruptive behaviour or having a bad attitude. Some have low self-esteem, difficulty communicating with others and display problems at school. Some boys are experiencing learning difficulties and the literacy gap between boys and girls is increasing.

So, what is the problem facing boys and what can be done to help?

On Thursday 11 April, the House of Representatives Education Committee will conduct school visits and public hearings in Griffith and Yenda.

The Committee will talk to school principals and teachers and people from the NSW Department of Education and Training. Topics include the effectiveness of boys' education and gender equity strategies which are being used in Griffith District schools, the nature and extent of boys' educational problems, how boys' difficulties relate to broader social and economic change and which boys are most affected.

Thursday 11 April 2002 - Public hearings:

• 9:45 am - 11:00 am
  Yenda Public School, Curran Road, Yenda
  
• 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
  Griffith Public School, Coolah Street, Griffith
• 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
  Wade High School (includes school forum)
  Poole Street, Griffith

Background: The House Education Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into the education of boys, focussing on social, cultural and educational factors.

House Education Committee Chair, Mr Kerry Bartlett, says it is important to get a regional perspective on the issues.

"The Committee wants to know whether the issues in regional areas are the same as in the capital cities," Mr Bartlett said.

"Schools in the Griffith District are trialing some things that are of interest to the Committee. We want to hear about the achievement of students in single sex classes at primary and secondary level. The Committee is also interested in vocational education programs at secondary level and the effectiveness of student interviews at Wade High School aimed at assisting students to make optimal subject choices in Years 11 and 12."

For more details on the Griffith public hearings, as well as background information on the inquiry, visit: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/edt

For media comment contact Mr Kerry Bartlett, MP, Chair of the House Education Committee, on (02) 4751 7494

For background information contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 2121.

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