Philosophy For Children – Qld, WA And Stephen Law

New articles out – that mention a range of states! ‘Just think: it’s important’ in the Sydney Morning Herald:

…A former physics teacher, Mr. Ellerton introduced the philosophy and critical thinking program to Calamvale after joining a network of Queensland teachers which promotes and spreads the teaching of philosophy in high schools throughout the state.

“Some people don’t understand what we mean by philosophy – they think it’s just discussion,” Mr. Ellerton said. “The truth is it’s a rigorous and analytical subject; you have to do it properly. We don’t discuss the meaning of life. As a subject, I think it’s more fundamental than maths or English.”

The teaching of philosophy in Queensland high schools is not new. The subject has been taught, in one form or another, for 50 years.

Other states have been quick to catch up, with Western Australia introducing a philosophy high-school program in the last year, and Victoria in the past five years. But in NSW the situation remains uncertain. The NSW Board of Studies offers philosophy as a distinction course only to students who have already sat the HSC exams….the Board of Studies data shows only 54 students enrolled in the philosophy distinction course last year. The Board of Studies also endorses school-developed courses in general philosophy, but only a handful of high schools in NSW that have taken up this offer.

While in Australia recently, Stephen Law was interviewed on SBS about the themes and issues raised in his book “The War for Children’s Minds.”

If you’re interested in more links within Australia (more feature in my pages):

The Australian Philosophy Teachers’ Network http://pactiss.org/
Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations (FAPSA) http://www.fapsa.org.au/

ACT: Canberra Society of Philosophy for the Young http://www.sophy.org.au/
NSW: Philosophy for Schools Association of NSW http://www.campion.edu.au/pins.shtml
QLD: Queensland Association for Philosophy in Schools http://www.fapsa.org.au/qaps/about-us
VIC: Victorian Association for Philosophy in Schools http://www.vaps.vic.edu.au/
WA: Association for Philosophy in Schools (WA) http://www.waapis.com

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