Win some - lose some !

Australia prides itself that education for all is free in primary and secondary schools - but the crunch comes financially for those who go on to get a university education.

The University of Wollongong has introduced an innovative scheme to provide free education for those who study via their computers - rather than attend and clog up lecture halls and facilities.

The university is developing full courses separated into modules that contain teaching material and e-text books - which can be accessed free.    Student's unable to enrol in a university course in the usual manner because of the cost will be able to expand their university education at home.

What is marvellously innovative is the idea of experiencing the benefits of a course without first having committed to the cost.   Once the student is certain that this is what they want, they can apply to have their work assessed and entered into the records to count towards eventual graduation - at just twenty percent of usual tuition fees.

This is likely to result in a sharp decrease in the student drop-out rate.   Entering university is a big step in the lives of young people, and many find that either the course they have selected is a mistake - or that they are not motivated to the years of hard work that lay ahead.   What the university is offering could well be described as a " try before you buy " scheme.

It looks good - but as those with a cynical mind will note - " there is a catch ! "

Those dreaded " Student Union " fees abolished by John Howard are back.    They were made voluntary - and students rejected them in droves, but a change of Federal government saw them return under a new name.   They are now  a " Student's Amenities fee " - and that is an up-front cost of  $ 263 per year.

Part time students get a fifty percent discount - and presumably when those taking up this free e-course option decide to ask for work assessment and record keeping - they will find themselves presented with a bill.

At least the university is heading in the right direction.   All strata's of society will now have the option of gaining a qualification - and doing that at a pace that suits their lifestyle and circumstances.

And cost is no longer the determining factor to self improvement !