Question

Difficulty: MediumEquality of Opportunity in Education

In Australia, the value of a 'fair go' includes the principle of equality of opportunity in education. If a student from a remote rural community applies to a city-based university, which of the following best describes how their application should be handled?

  1. The student should be assessed based on their individual merit and potential to succeed in the study program.Answer
  2. B
    The student should be guaranteed a passing grade in all subjects to ensure they achieve the same wealth as other students.
  3. C
    The student should be given lower priority because applicants from city backgrounds are more likely to have a history of higher education.

Answer

The student should be assessed based on their individual merit and potential to succeed in the study program.
The correct answer reflects the Australian belief that every person has the same legal right to pursue an education. Success in Australia is based on a person's own work, potential, and merit rather than their social status or where they come from.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core Australian value being tested.
The value is 'Equality of Opportunity in Education' as part of a 'Fair Go'.
The question specifically asks about an educational application scenario.
2
Analyze what 'equality of opportunity' means in the Australian context.
It means that a person's background (where they live, their gender, or their religion) should not stop them from pursuing their goals.
Australian law and values protect the right to pursue education based on one's own efforts.
3
Differentiate between 'opportunity' and 'outcome'.
Opportunity means the chance to try and succeed based on merit; it is not a guarantee of equal results or wealth.
This distinction is a common point of confusion in citizenship tests.

Key Concept

Equality of Opportunity in Education

Hints

1
Think about whether 'a fair go' means everyone gets the same result or everyone gets the same chance.
2
In Australia, should a person's home town or family history prevent them from applying for a university course?

Practice More

Review the section on 'Equality in Australia' in the citizenship handbook to understand how merit-based selection works.
Estimated Time:45s
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