Policy Analysis: Understanding Social Policy And Education Policies In Australia

Describe about the Essay on Policy Analysis.

The aspect of social policy deals with the decision-making process of the community and governments in terms of investment, the individuals qualified for facilities provided by them etc. integrating the aspects of social issue in totality. Among the population of a country there exists a section of the population for whom medical tourism plays a vital role. This can be seen from the fact that a large section of the children receives education from government funded schools, which naturally makes social policy a significant perspective to deal with (Hall and Midgley, 2006). Hence in order to manage intra-societal relations and forming the quality of living standard it acts as a contributing factor.    

On the basis of the above made discussion, the assignment will deal with social policy in terms of Education policy; critically analyze the policy and recommendations to enhance these policies.

The issues of social development are associated with aspects like freedom, justice, right, fairness etc. However, the lack of scientific way of defining it results in its individualistic judgment. The edifice of these forms of judgment is expectations, social values, and norms. It is known as “normative theory”. The norms, considerations, decision makers values, normative views of the decision makers are reflected in all policy decisions. Social policy’s value frameworks are provided by normative theories (Tulloch, 1978). A society’s religious, cultural, political, ideological beliefs are represented by it.  The normative theory consists of different approaches which include statist, enterprise, and populist approach.  

Statist approach promotes the aspect that in bringing enhancements in social conditions state plays a major role. In this process, social services are required to be improved along with boosting the living standard. Statist approach is also refereed as “welfarism”. Along with Western industrialized countries organizations like United Nations emphasizes on this approach.

The enterprise approach is opposed to enterprise approach. Minimalistic governmental role and its intervention in the social arena are favored in this approach. Thus the edifice of this ideology is perspective of individualism and individual rights. The root of enterprise approach lies in the English Civil Wars, French Revolutions and America. It requires to be mentioned here that other than the state feudal authorities are also resisted in this approach. It is noticeable here that, utilitarianism is also a form of individualism in UK that was derived by Jeremy Bentham.  The philosophies of Adam Smith also support the notion of enterprise approach, according to whom, free market should be promoted with minimal state interference.

In terms of economy, the French principle of “laissez faire” expressed the individualistic approach of enterprise approach. According to this concept, the organic functioning of the market like imposing taxes required to be paid for social purposes, should not be disrupted by the state (Gibson, 2011).  

On the other hand, on engagement of “the people”, the common beliefs and values shared by them in social welfare is emphasized upon by the populist approach associated with development of social policy. The advocates of populist approach are of the opinion that, rather than governments or individuals, “the people” form the core of the society. Hence in order to determine whether any policy is beneficial for the society, “the people” should be made the focal point.

It needs to be mentioned here that, at the basic level, in the process of developing social policy, issues of equality, social justice, right, plays integral part and requires to be incorporated in the policy process (Haugen, Musser and Kalambakal, 2010). The concept of equality refers to providing equal opportunities to all individuals of the society. In the concept of equality, equality of opportunity and equality of outcome are the two concepts two contradictory concepts in the relationship of equality. While the concept of rights are based, on the capabilities and needs of individual. The concept of social justice deals with the perspective of which individuals deserve and what are the facilities that should be provided to them. 

In terms of the Australian social policy, the concept of welfare state forms the basis of these policies. The basis of the concept of welfare state is, with paid labor work is equated and complete employment is possible (Thomas, 2008). The risks associated with natural part of life could be managed with the help of welfare state is another premises of welfare state. Thirdly, welfare acts as a means to strengthening the relationship between the population and the state. Hence, with its help social solidarity is promoted. In the post WWII period, these principles emphasized on the massive expansion of welfare state. However, by 1970, it became clear that in accordance to the plan the concept of welfare state was not working. As a result, in this period, in Australia and around the world the nature of welfare state changed drastically (Boundless.com, 2015).

Education is an inseparable and important aspect of individual’s life. According to some, education is essential for its intrinsic value, to some it is the means of achieving knowledge and personal enlightenment. However, on a practical basis, it helps them in terms of accessing jobs and contributes to standard of economic wellbeing of individual’s. Thus in turn it helps an individual in enhancing the quality of life. With the help of integrating the above mentioned normative theory and the concept of welfare state, the education policy in Australia was formulated. Among all the social policies in Australia, along with health policy education policy is among the most essential perspective in the social policy area. In regards to securing the economic stability of individual which in turn secures the financial security of the nation, education policy is the most essential single indicator.

In comparison to OECD average, investment in education institutions in Australia is similar. 6.1% of the GDP of the nation is spending on education. By 0.8% points Australia in the period between 2005 and 2010 increased its expenditure (class note). Whether the school is private or public also determines its funding (Dowling, 2008). Public schools are funded by state governments. 61% of the Australian students receive education from government schools and receive free education. Australian government provide fund to private schools. 33% of the population attend private school.

Data reflect that, 50% of the population between 15 and 64 years, in 2003 received some kind of post-secondary education qualification. It is noticeable here that, the population who were participating in the workforce were excess of 80% as compared to totality 68% who did not receive post-secondary qualification. It reflects the fact that as compared to the population having received post-secondary qualification, the population who were not possessing it have chance of more than 3 times to be unemployed (class note). In the 2001 Census from Australian Bureau of Statistics it highlighted upon the aspect of high rates of poor health, unemployment, crime which was associated with lower levels of educational achievement. With the help of a network of private and public providers Australia delivered its educational facilities.

In an OECD report on Australian education it was argued that fair and engaging practices were emphasized in its education sector. It further stated that, high completion rate for tertiary education, equality, quality were emphasized by it. However, indigenous and rural populations have lower performance in terms of the academics, and have limited access to tertiary education as compared to national average (Ellis, 2016). Other than class and race inequalities, gender inequalities can also be observed in Australian education system. Girls belonging from lower socio-economic background face considerable inequalities the system. The reason for their facing inequality is their economic condition and secondly because of their gender. The school retention percentage also highlights upon the existing inequalities in terms of class, gender, and race. In the higher education prominent gender disparities can be observed (Argy, 2007). The data of Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights upon the aspect that in terms of financial costs related with post-compulsory education acts as a major challenge for individuals from disadvantaged socio-economical background. Hence it is evident that in order to develop the education policy and imbalances in the education system they are required to be addressed.     

In order to deal with the above mentioned issues of inequalities in the educational policy of Australia, there are number of initiatives that can be taken by them. Firstly, formulating policies like UK, Education Reform Act which highlights upon educational excellence of the nation, the existing issues may be effectively dealt (Legislation.gov.uk, 2014). Hence, formulating such national school curriculum can turn out to be an effective strategy. Initiatives are required to be taken on the part Australian education policy in terms of quality control which may also help in minimizing the existing disparity. Other than that, the notions of equality and abolishment of discrimination should be promoted on the part of the government which would also contribute in the elimination of existing disparity in the education system.

Conclusion

From the above made discussion it can be inferred that, normative theory acts as the basis of policy formulation. The concept of welfare state was initially considered as integral in the process of policy formulation, the effectiveness of which later came under question. From this perspective, Australian education policy was discussed in the above discussion where it could be noticed that number of inequalities in terms of gender, caste, economic background are prevalent.  In the assignment relevant strategies like social justice have been mentioned to deal with these issues (Dudley, 2006).   

References

Argy, F. (2007). Education inequalities in Australia > Institute of Advanced Studies: The University of Western Australia. [online] Ias.uwa.edu.au. Available at: https://www.ias.uwa.edu.au/new-critic/five/educationinequalities [Accessed 25 Aug. 2016].

Boundless.com. (2015). History of the Welfare State. [online] Available at: https://www.boundless.com/political-science/textbooks/boundless-political-science-textbook/social-policy-17/the-welfare-state-105/history-of-the-welfare-state-558-6935/ [Accessed 25 Aug. 2016].

Dowling, A. (2008). 'Unhelpfully Complex and Exceedingly Opaque': Australia's School Funding System. Australian Journal of Education, 52(2), pp.129-150.

Dudley, W. (2006). Social justice. 2nd ed. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press.

Ellis, K. (2016). Inequality in Australia's schools is growing and must be reversed | Kate Ellis. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/23/inequality-in-australias-schools-is-growing-and-must-be-reversed [Accessed 25 Aug. 2016].

Gibson, D. (2011). Wealth, power, and the crisis of Laissez Faire capitalism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Hall, A. and Midgley, J. (2006). Social policy for development. 3rd ed. London: SAGE.

Haugen, D., Musser, S. and Kalambakal, V. (2010). Social justice. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Greenhaven Press/Gale Cengage Learning.

Kamerman, S. and Kahn, A. (2014). Privatization and the Welfare State. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Legislation.gov.uk. (2014). Education Reform Act 1988. [online] Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/40/contents [Accessed 25 Aug. 2016].

Thomas, S. (2008). Leading for quality: questions about quality and leadership in Australia. Journal of Education Policy, 23(3), pp.323-334.

Tulloch, P. (1978). Normative Theory and Social Policy. Journal of Sociology, [online] 14(1), pp.65-75. Available at: https://jos.sagepub.com/content/14/1/65.extract [Accessed 25 Aug. 2016].