Future of Schooling under the Microscope

Education Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson will officially open a major two-day conference on the future of schooling in Australia at the University of Sydney on Wednesday, September 28.

Professor Allan Fels, Dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), said the conference, Schooling for the 21st Century – Unlocking  HumanPotential is the first of its kind in Australia.

“The greatest challenge for schools in the 21st century is to unlock the human potential of each student and provide the basis for lifelong learning,” he said.

“This conference draws on ANZSOG’s networks, bringing together expert practitioners and policy makers from around Australasia and featuring four keynote presentations from leading-edge thinkers from the USA, UK and Europe.”

Speakers include:
• Sir Michael Barber, former senior advisor to the Blair Government on Education
• Professor Terry Moe of Stanford University, USA, expert on educational policy and the voucher system and
• Dr Barry McGaw, Director of Education at the OECD, France.

The Federal Opposition Leader, the Hon. Kim Beazley will address the conference over lunch on Thursday, September 29 at St Andrew’s College.

Assoc. Professor Robyn Ewing, director of the Division of Professional Learning, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney will chair a session on School Performance – Evidence-based Reform on Wednesday afternoon.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Prof. Judyth Sachs will chair a session on Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage on Thursday afternoon.

The conference starts at 9am Wednesday, September 28 at
The University of Sydney, Merewether Building, Darlington Campus.

Media contact:: Carol Stuart: 0418 552224 or
Virginia Gawler, Media Office, University of Sydney:  0423 782 603