Flexible learning in Australia tempts pupils back to school

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Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. literacy / ˈlɪt ər ə si / (n.) – the ability to read and write
    Example:

    The school focuses on literacy in the first years so that students can do well in all subjects later on.


  2. numeracy / ˈnjuː mə rə sɪ / (n.) – the ability to understand and work with numbers
    Example:

    The job requires numeracy, so applicants must be able to calculate costs and budgets.


  3. disengaged / ˌdɪs ɪŋˈɡeɪdʒd / (adj.) – not interested, not paying attention, or not involved in something
    Example:

    The students seemed disengaged during the long lecture and were looking at their phones.


  4. mainstream / ˈmeɪnˌstrim / (adj.) – (in education) related to education for children who can be taught in the same way as most others
    Example:

    The school places children with mild learning difficulties in mainstream classes to study with other students.


  5. accredited / əˈkrɛd ɪ tɪd / (adj.) – officially recognized as meeting a required standard for something
    Example:

    Before enrolling, make sure the course is accredited so your certificate will be valid for jobs.


Article

Read the text below.

School attendance rates in the Australian state of Victoria have declined and remain lower than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, one school is thinking outside the box. It’s reconnecting with its students via a food truck—bringing education beyond the classroom.


Called the Bitter Sweet Café, this hands-on environment is delivering lessons in literacy and numeracy. It’s an initiative set up by MacKillop Education—a school designed for children who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education.


“I’ve learnt how to make coffees is one thing I do, I interact with people, so my people skills have improved,” explains Daniel, a MacKillop Education student.


Daniel didn’t believe he would ever graduate before enrolling at MacKillop Education in Year Eight. He was studying at a mainstream school where he said he felt isolated and lacked support for his learning needs after being diagnosed with autism. Now in Year 12, he’s feeling confident and gaining practical life skills through hands-on experience.


The Bitter Sweet Café and food truck is just one initiative that’s helped reconnect dozens of students with their education. Since its launch in 2018, the program has grown and now serves the wider Geelong community.


Students learn to design menus, conduct market research, collaborate with others, and build social and problem-solving abilities.


“Attendance rose, we saw students’ confidence in themselves and their sense of self-worth also improved,” explains MacKillop Education Geelong Principal Skye Staude.


School refusal continues to be a challenge in Australia, with attendance rates steadily declining over the past ten years. “We see social impacts of not finishing school, we see health, mental health outcomes,” says Deakin University psychology associate professor Glenn Melvin.


It’s not just about having fun. These students are also earning accredited industry qualifications through the program. It’s a clear example of how schools can adopt more flexible approaches to better connect with disengaged students, a recommendation highlighted in the Victorian Government’s education inquiry.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • MacKillop Education is teaching students through a food truck instead of only in classrooms. Do you think schools should focus more on hands-on projects than traditional lessons? Why or why not? What kind of real-life project would you have liked to try as part of your own education? Discuss.
  • The principal said students’ confidence and sense of self-worth grew after joining the café project. How might confidence give students advantages outside of school? Do you think having confidence is just as important as having high grades? Why do you say so? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • School attendance in Victoria has dropped and is now lower than it was before COVID-19. Why do you think more students are refusing or avoiding school today? Do you think there are better ways to succeed in life today than through mainstream education? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Experts warn that not finishing school can hurt both mental health and future opportunities. In what ways does not completing school make life more difficult later on? Do you think this trend could also have negative effects on society if it continues? Why or why not? Discuss.