Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
Social Workers talk about boys
Boys can often be blamed for disruptive behaviour and having a bad attitude.
Some have low self-esteem, have difficulties 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?
At Thursday's public hearing, the House of Representatives Education
Committee will hear from the Australian Association of Social Workers
who will explain how social issues affect boys' learning.
- Public Event: House of Representatives Education Committee The
education of boys Inquiry Australian Association of Social Workers
- Where: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House
- When: Thursday 30 November, 9 am - 9.45 am
The House Education Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry
into the education of boys focussing on the social, cultural and educational
factors affecting boys.
Dr Brendan Nelson, Committee Chair, said the challenges surrounding
the education of boys need to be brought out into the open and discussed
as frankly as possible.
"The Committee, through this inquiry, wants to understand the problems
and look at what may be done in early to middle schooling that can help
and benefit boys," Dr Nelson said. "Social workers have direct experience
of boys and boys' families who live with hardship. They have identified
a number of factors they believe impact on boys. They also suggest that
a review of teacher education is vital and that the teaching of human
values in schools should be introduced and promoted. They have also
highlighted the importance of appropriate male role models for boys.
These suggestions are consistent with the views of many educators and
academics." For more details on this Thursday's public hearing in Canberra,
as well as background information on the inquiry, visit: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr
For media comment contact Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Chair of the
House Education Committee, on 0418 123 438 or 02 6277 4433.
For background information contact the Committee Secretariat on (02)
6277 4573.
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