Literacy, Schools and Society: access and excellence

Abstract

The article reviews the Australian Government's concern for quality in education by focusing on the problem of literacy in adolescents and adults. A recent report issued by the Australian Government, In The National Interest (1987) argued for the need of schools to become more accessible and flexible by developing stronger links with the community. The concept of literacy is also reviewed in the context of improving relevancy of education for adolescents. Suggestions are made on what schools can do to improve adolescent literacy, learning and the problem of alienation. It is argued that the problem of relevancy of schooling should be addressed by all sectors of society. Schools should seek the willing collaboration of governments, parents, members of the business community, teachers and most importantly students themselves. The problem of alienation must also be tackled at the macro level of changing disabling structures in education. The article ends with a plea to educators to develop processes of open, genuine mutual and cooperative enquiry at the class and school levels.