Pearson solution

WHILE not generally in favour of compulsion, education is different, therefore I have some sympathy for the views of Patricia Nelson ("Lesson for life", Northern Territory News, February 14).

But life is a continuum - it does not end with the end of primary school so there must be some purpose in education.

Many of our citizens face a future of living in an artificial environment with life support provided, sitting around smoking ganja, drinking kava or alcohol, or finding outlets for their energies in anti-social behaviour.

This Government, and all previous governments, have adopted an out-of-sight out-of-mind approach to this problem - for example, sending the long-grass dwellers back to their overcrowded lands.

The solution lies in a more ecological approach to what is more than a social problem.

Some indigenous leaders, such as Noel Pearson, are trying to deal with this problem but most of our political leaders have abdicated their responsibilities.

Col Friel
Alawa

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 22nd February 2005
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Col Friel
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au