author: Fatima Measham

  • AUSTRALIA

    How Islamic law can protect Australian cows

    • Fatima Measham
    • 02 June 2011
    11 Comments

    On Monday evening, Four Corners viewers reeled at images of Australian cattle being slaughtered in Indonesia. Since Indonesians are predominantly Muslim, perhaps an appeal to change their inhumane practices can begin with an appeal to the concept of halal: that which is permissible under Islamic law.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Philippines bishops' contraception conundrum

    • Fatima Measham
    • 18 May 2011
    30 Comments

    While Catholic bishops in the Philippines have opposed modern forms of birth control, the public paralysis this has engendered over sexual health care has led to high rates of abortion. The Philippine Catholic Church can thus be seen to be at odds with its ministry for the poor.

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  • EDUCATION

    How to measure a teacher

    • Fatima Measham
    • 09 May 2011
    17 Comments

    One in ten primary and secondary teachers will be entitled to extra pay as acknowledgement of their performance. While this is positive, the evaluation criteria seems biased against teachers in disadvantaged suburbs or those who voluntarily teach in remote regions.

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  • EDUCATION

    Education in a post-WikiLeaks world

    • Fatima Measham
    • 15 December 2010
    6 Comments

    The National Curriculum has sparked passionate debate. An enlightened society upholds that its young people are more than just future workers; they are human beings first. Unfortunately, it is easier to generate data for the knowledge and skills that we expect of future workers.

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  • ARTS AND CULTURE

    Send in the clowns

    • Fatima Measham
    • 05 November 2010
    3 Comments

    For the most part, last weekend's Rally for Sanity in the USA is a stellar piece of theatre. Featuring  satirists Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, it was staged as a counterpoint to the Tea Party rallies. When people are being massaged by politicians and media personalities to be fearful and angry, humour often flips back the covers concealing truth.

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  • EDUCATION

    Tokenistic action against homophobic bullies

    • Fatima Measham
    • 01 November 2010
    16 Comments

    Principals and teachers can keep gay young people safe at school only to the extent that they are also safe in the wider community. While ticking boxes on ‘teacher training, resources and consultancy’ may not adequately address the source of the behaviour of homophobic bullies, such programs remain important.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Tax pain is our gain

    • Fatima Measham
    • 11 August 2010
    15 Comments

    In Sunday's Liberal campaign launch, Tony Abbott repeated the phrase 'big new tax' five times. Through taxes, we invest in a civilised society that would provide for us in times of need. Taxes are therefore not a necessary evil. They are a necessary good.

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  • EDUCATION

    Why NAPLAN boycott must happen

    • Fatima Measham
    • 28 April 2010
    19 Comments

    Julia Gillard has not truly engaged with concerns from teachers, principals, academics and parents regarding the overemphasis on NAPLAN-based school comparisons. For many teachers, the professional and only ethical thing is to oppose such moves.

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  • EDUCATION

    Gillard student numbers don't add up

    • Fatima Measham
    • 26 February 2010
    5 Comments

    Many teachers argue that NAPLAN test results should be used to improve the standard of education, and not a lever for market-based competition. These critics are called secretive and defensive. Perhaps this is how Rudd and Gillard want them to be seen.

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  • EDUCATION

    Sex, schools and students

    • Fatima Measham
    • 20 October 2009
    7 Comments

    A Queensland father removed his children from a Catholic primary school in protest against the graphic sexual education given to his children. Schools are best placed to cover sexual health because students can be supported in developing a mature sexual ethic.

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  • EDUCATION

    Parable of the long-suffering teacher

    • Fatima Measham
    • 26 August 2009
    5 Comments

    Students are more proficient in technology than their teachers and are accessing information their elders would not have known. They wonder, if they can already function as if they have finished school, then what's the point of school? It's a fair question. 

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Cory Aquino and the people's triumph over tyranny

    • Fatima Measham
    • 05 August 2009
    3 Comments

    Cory Aquino will be remembered for the role she played in the Philippines' People Power Revolution of 1986. It was the first instance in modern times where civilians, not the military, unseated a corrupt leader without even a call to arms.

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