Training should be seen as more than a commodity

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commodity education
According to the article “Thousands of carers will lose their qualifications” (22/11) published 10 years ago, my research identified the problem of vocational providers offering aged care courses that do not meet national standards. A recent royal commission highlighted concerns about the quality of some vocational training providers, suggesting the need for better regulation. In some vocational schools, education is considered a commodity. Is this the inevitable consequence of governments financing the private sector to provide public benefits?
Sarah Russell, Director, Aged Care Matters, Mount Martha

How to reduce reputation
The State Library of Victoria is housed in a beautiful historic building with a wonderful collection of books. However, one of its important treasures is its team of professional and dedicated personnel. Their detailed knowledge has helped many students, writers and professional historians over the years, and any reduction in their numbers would seriously damage Melbourne’s reputation as a center of culture and learning (“State Library staff to cut services”, 22/11).
Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn

research going on
Cuts from first the CSIRO and now the State Library of Victoria mean this is RIP for research.
Vikki O’Neill, Ashburton

Support CSIRO
“Knowledge is Power” is a motto we all know, and curiosity resulting in research and subsequent development strengthens societies and can strengthen a society better than ours, which has lately been a beacon of humanity amidst the current global storms of disinformation, extremism and intolerance.
The AUKUS agreement gives billions of dollars to other countries to fix decades of incompetence in managing our submarine capabilities. A tiny fraction of this will fund and advance CSIRO, our leading research facility that enables us to punch above our weight in the world. This screams disproportionality and should be obvious to everyone except some myopic thinkers in government.
Research is often viewed as amateurism, even though it is actually a key driver of human progress. There needs to be much more support for the CSIRO, not less.
Dr Mano Thevathasan, Carlton

not reliable
Would a Ukrainian trust Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump to achieve a just or sustainable peace? The current ″⁣Peace″⁣ plan, which envisages Ukraine giving up territory and surrendering, was prepared in Moscow and presented by Washington.
Vera Lubczenko, Geelong West

four values
The values ​​that shape this country are something I came to understand after emigrating from India in 1983 to build a life with my Australian wife.
I have narrowed these down to four values ​​which I have now presented to the LNP to help them design their “Australian values” test for immigrants:
1. We give people a “fair go,” meaning we give them an equal chance to succeed or have their voices heard. Fairness, courtesy and equal treatment are important to us.
2. We are an egalitarian society, so our political and other institutions are structured to be fair, accessible and not dominated by classes.
3. We believe in national unity and ensure that we do nothing to divide our workplaces or communities.
4. Finally, we have a healthy disrespect for authority.
The correct response when a politician ignores the above values ​​is to shake your head, take a sip of something cold, and say “what a masturbation.”
Prabha Kutty, Colac

Please a definition
Can someone please give me a list of values ​​specific to Australia? I’ve lived here all my life and have no idea what these are, so how can newcomers embrace them?
Cheryl Day, Beaumaris

What’s in it?
With the impending social media ban and the apparent push to use WhatsApp as a solution, I wonder if people realize that you can’t hide your phone number even if it’s not listed on WhatsApp. Now anyone added to a group setup of kids for kids, we better hope they’re all kids, as all phone numbers are available for use via direct SMS or direct phone call. As far as I know, there is no privacy setting in WhatsApp to hide these numbers. What happens to young children when adults call them directly at any time?
Dave Callander, Bentleigh East