The reorganisation of teacher education in the UK and Ontario : implications for Australia

I visited the U.K. and Ontario in late September and October 1976 to study the reorganization of teacher education which was taking place as a response to a sharp decline in the demand for teachers consequent on a falling birth-rate and a deteriorating economic situation. The main advantage of the study was that it provided a perspective in which the current situation in Australia (and specifically in W.A.) in regard to an 'over-supply' of teacher education trainees could be more objectively evaluated in a context of common problems. The fact that the problems, particularly in England, are more urgent, complex, critical and of longer standing hopefully means that their attempts to resolve such problems may indicate possible and perhaps profitable directions of change in the Australian situation.