Community Colleges in Western Australia — Historical Accidents and Policy Dilemmas

Abstract

This paper traces the establishment of Western Australia's three community colleges. Features of this development are significant government initiatives, historical accidents, and policy issues concerning the coordination, control, and future directions of new post-secondary institutions. All this is examined against a background of debates about the control and management of the state's system of technical and further education. The policy issues that are raised are similar to issues discussed in most Australian states, and invite speculation about the future shape of technical and further education in Western Australia that is highly relevant to what is happening in other parts of the nation.

Keywords

TAFE colleges community colleges post-secondary education educational policy government role educational history

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