Time for a reality check on the state of science, maths and technology in our universities
21st September 2001
The Government needs a reality check on the state of science and maths education and research in Australian universities. The Minister today dismissed the concerns of a number of expert bodies about these matters as `unfounded', despite the fact that these disciplines are suffering the effects of declining infrastructure and declining enrolments.
`Clearly, the Minister is more concerned with gilding the lily than addressing the problems,' said NTEU President Dr Carolyn Allport.
`His own Department has published figures that show us that the number of commencing domestic students in maths and statistics have declined by 12% since 1998, while the number of higher degree research students has fallen by nearly 17%.
`The number of commencing science students has declined by over 7%. Combine the two, and we've lost 2,777 commencing student places in these key disciplines in two years.
`The Department has also published figures on staffing in these areas, showing us that the total number of staff in maths and computing fell by 15% since 1996, and by 10% in science over the same period.
`How can we build the nation's skills in maths and sciences when the numbers of students and staff in our universities are falling?
Dr Allport said that the Minister should heed the words of Lord Robert May, President of Britain's Royal Society, who said in a speech at Sydney University last night that governments should concentrate their resources on science education from pre-school through to post-compulsory sectors.
'The increased funding for research announced by the Government in January is welcome,' said Dr Allport. `However, there is no point in funding the top end of research if we are going to neglect the educational base.'