What the hell is VCAL?

[akira88]

most stupid idea ever. why dont they just send the kids out to get a trade at yr 10. that way they could all finish their apprenticeships when they're around 18 or 19. instead kids at our school are paying 18K a year or something along those lines, to go to school 4 days a week; when they're just going to get a trade anyway.

True it's a stupid idea, but why should it matter to us? It's not our money, it's theirs, and it's their choice. Doesn't affect us at all. If they want to spend 18k to have their kid do VCAL, let them be.
(However that money could be much better spent... MUCH better spent)

Isn't that line of reasoning a bit selfish? Furthermore don't our taxes go to funding these programs? They're run by the government after all.

Sorry which line of reasoning is selfish? I'm a bit confused at where you're headed lol.
Well I guess if those parents could afford 18k for their kids, obviously they're earning a heap, meaning they would contribute quite a bit to the taxes as well?

[ben92]

I think I misread your tone - did you mean to imply we shouldn't judge the program because it's none of our business rather than because it isn't our problem? At first I read it as the former.

[akira88]

I think I misread your tone - did you mean to imply we shouldn't judge the program because it's none of our business rather than because it isn't our problem? At first I read it as the former.

Lol yeah you probably misinterpreted it (or my mistake for being so ambiguous)

[tkjnz]

Very Crap At Learning

[luken93]

Very Crap At Learning

At our school its....
VERY CRAP AT LIFE

Btw don't shoot the messenger haha

[Hutchoo]

I've got a motto which i've been using for a couple years:

You put the K in VKAL.(Pun on the intelligence of members of the VCAL community)

[appianway]

I think that the investment in a private education for students studying VCAL is sometimes good. As stipulated in the other threads, private schools often have more personal support for students. If a student, irrespective of intelligence, can benefit from these extra curriculars, and the family can afford it, why not? Some of the students who take VCAL struggle academically and private schools might have the resources to give them the assistance they need to obtain basic literacy and numeracy. In my opinion, that's money better spent than 18k on someone who is able to get into biomedicine instead of commerce due to an increased ATAR. 

[Hutchoo]

18k to do VCAL or 18k to get into a medicine course/business course.
Iunno, the second option sounds better.

[Hutchoo]

Don't get me wrong, plumbers make a ffffffffek load of money.
My uncles a plumber (air conditioning/heating type) and he is making the big bucks.

[TrueLight]

working as a plumber = profit $$$$$

haha yep. mmm

[Inside Out]

as far as i know VCAL is for the uhum less intelectual peoples

[Hutchoo]

working as a plumber = profit $$$$$

haha yep. mmm

Seriously... They do, don't take trade people lightly.

[MBBS]

I think that the investment in a private education for students studying VCAL is sometimes good. As stipulated in the other threads, private schools often have more personal support for students. If a student, irrespective of intelligence, can benefit from these extra curriculars, and the family can afford it, why not? Some of the students who take VCAL struggle academically and private schools might have the resources to give them the assistance they need to obtain basic literacy and numeracy. In my opinion, that's money better spent than 18k on someone who is able to get into biomedicine instead of commerce due to an increased ATAR.  

I think the point your trying to make here is that the fundamentals of education are the most important component. That someone who is struggling and would otherwise be a total ignoramus will now understand the basics of Mathematics and English etc. Your point is that these fundamentals are far more important then the absolute elite getting into their desired course. I have to agree with you there.

Also, none of us should be kidding ourselves. If you want to make money, you become a trade person in this country. We are one of the only countries in the world where trade people make more than professionals and be under no allusion, you will not make more than your local electrician. You will be doing something that is far more fulfilling for the rest of your life as it stimulates you intellectually, but electricians in this country can very easily make $300k+ a year.

[TrueLight]

working as a plumber = profit $$$$$

haha yep. mmm

Seriously... They do, don't take trade people lightly.

i know.  jealous kinda. lol

[schmalex]

That being said, I have a friend who was an apprentice for a while and said it was ridiculously boring and physically strenuous. He didn't last very long and he's going to uni next year. Also, private schools are more about status than education anyway.