In today’s talking points: Record numbers of students complete year 12; New tourism training course launched in New South Wales; Universities in China continue to thrive; New bullying regulations implemented in China
Record numbers of students complete year 12
The South Australian Education Board has released figures showing that a record high of 15,175 students have successfully completed year 12 in 2017. 97.3% of students received the South Australian Certificate of Education in 2017 compared to 91.6% in 2010. Students also scored better than ever, with record numbers receiving high merits for their work. Jon Raymond, SACE Board of South Australia acting chief executive, stated that the number of successful graduates had jumped up by 172 from 2016, highlighting in particular the continued growth in numbers of students of aboriginal background successfully completing the program.
Read more at: ABC
New Australian tour guide course trains next generation of Chinese tour guides
During the 2016 – 2017 financial year, 1.25 million Chinese tourists visited Australia – with this number predicted to reach 3.9 million by 2027. To better prepare for future tourist influxes, Austrade, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and TAFE NSW launched their EXCITE (Excellence in Chinese Inbound Tour Guide Education) course in June 2017. The course, which, according to Dan Williams, Austrade General Manager, Tourism Division, was a response to industry requests, aims to deliver bilingual graduates who will, in turn, enhance the quality of tours for Chinese tourists. With spending by Chinese tourists expected to exceed $26 billion by 2027, Williams noted that, “It’s critical that Australia capitalises on this opportunity.”
Read more at: Austrade
Eleven central government agencies implement new measures to curb bullying
In December 2017, 11 central government agencies defined bullying and its potential consequences in an effort to make campuses safer. Each instance of bullying “will be given strict attention,” said the Chinese Education Society’s campus safety expert, Li Wen. According to the regulations, schools will deal with minor offenses, whereas more serious offenses, such as though resulting in physical and mental harm, will be referred to the police. Last year, five vocational college students were sentenced to prison terms for bullying that resulted in injury and depression. Under the new regulations, repeat offenders may also be sent to special juvenile offender schools.
Read more at: China Daily
Education boom in China
General Secretary Xi Jinping has highlighted the importance of education to China’s future development at the country’s 19th National Party Congress. He stressed that education would be key to improving international recognition and the soft power of the country. The statements follow record growth in the number of universities in China, rising from 1022 in 2001, to 2824 in 2014. Chinese university students now total 37 million, the largest student body in the world, with approximately 801,000 of these students choosing to study abroad. Despite the growth, quality of education is continuing area of concern, with a shift to more effective bureaucratic structures highlighted as an area of improvement.
Read more at: The Diplomat