THE POLITICS OF TERROR EDUCATION

Victorian Social Studies teacher Paul Gilby has written a controversial 166 page, $47.20 (cheaper in bulk) book, Power and National Politics, specifically for classroom use. Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop is unhappy that the book is being used by about half of Victoria's 700 secondary politics students:

"It is inconceivable that information is being taught in schools which claims Australia is 'reaping the harvest' of our foreign policies and our 'Western imperialism'," she said.

"Of greatest concern is the claim in the textbook that the Howard Government is deliberately using the threat of terrorism to keep Australians fearful and thus supportive of Government policies and actions.

"The person who wrote this text should talk to the families of those killed in Bali and explain to them that there is no need to be fearful of terrorism."

In Gilby's view we have created the terrorist threat hanging over us but the threat isn't really that great with the Howard government exaggerating the threat for political gain. Kim Beazley on the other hand thinks the government isn't doing enough to protect Australians. Jeez, Howard can't seem to get it quite right.

Gilby isn't totally new to the publishing game having helped with the production of another book aimed at the curriculum market, Love Sex Desire:

The total publishing cost of printing 300 copies of the 110-page paperback, Mr Gilby says, is $2100.

So far, with what he describes as "a few sales" to students, Mr Gilby is hoping to find a curriculum-focused market at other educational institutions."

We sold one to NMIT. Our school is going to use it in health and development. We are hoping schools might pick this up as a resource," he says.

If they choose to copy the idea with their students' work, Mr Gilby will be even happier."

With "writer" Alicia Sometimes assisting the project it's gotta be quite a book – oddly, Sometimes doesn't list the book on her CV. Regardless, with Love Sex Desire costing $7 each to produce, $47.20 for Power and National Politics may be just a bit excessive. Quality education obviously doesn't come cheap.

Editing note: The cost per book of Love Sex Desire was corrected to $7 from the $3 originally shown.