Teachers Fed Response To NSW Budget

Date: 29 May 2001

Federation President Sue Simpson said today:

"The public education community can only be disappointed and frustrated that a state Labor government is not doing more to promote its own public schools and TAFE colleges.

"In the lead up to the Olympics spending on education fell as a proportion of the state budget. Spending on private schools increased in real terms but spending on public schools did not keep up with inflation and there were cuts in real terms in spending on our TAFE colleges.

"The Australian Government Primary Principals Survey released in February highlighted that resource levels in public primary schools have not kept pace with parent expectations and Government demands on schools. The gaps between public schools in rich and poor areas are increasing. The drift to private schools will only increase and students will be tougher to teach unless additional resourcing is provided.

"It is hard to see how this Budget will substantially reverse this situation.

"Over the last year the Victorian, West Australian and ACT Governments have begun programs to substantially lower class sizes in the early years of schooling.

"The Teachers Federation Budget submission called for lower class sizes in the early years of schooling and a greater number of early intervention programs. Parents know and research continues to show that early help in assessing learning difficulties pays off in the adolescent years.

"The seventh Carr Labor Government Budget did nothing to even begin a program to lower class sizes in the early years of schooling.

"The public education community welcomes increased funding for maintenance and capital works but it will not go far enough to satisfy those school communities angry that their local public school is being closed to pay for much needed maintenance at those public schools left standing.

"Public school and TAFE college maintenance contained the most savage cutbacks in the lead up to the Olympics.

"The Teachers Federation's Budget submission called for:

§ lower class sizes in the early years of schooling and increased early intervention programs;
§ programs for students whose behaviour is having an adverse affect on other students and teachers;
§ more help for students with special needs whether they be integrated in regular classrooms or in special schools or classes
§ increased funding specifically targeted to disadvantaged students;
§ increased teacher training and development
§ more funding for capital works and maintenance
§ increased funding for TAFE .

"The Federation welcomes the announcement of additional funds for special schools and tutorial centres for students with problem behaviour. But teachers will be frustrated yet again that there is no increased provision for integration programs and for students with other special needs and learning difficulties.

"The Federation will need to examine the Government's announcement around funding for the new 7 - 10 curriculum to see just how far it will stretch.

"The Budget announcement focuses on gadgetry with talk of electronic learning and more computers. Improving the education of disadvantaged students has been sacrificed for more gadgetry.

"Rather than more computers our public schools and TAFE colleges require more technical support and better security for the computers they currently have.

"This budget has fallen short given the expectations of our public schools and TAFE colleges", said Ms Simpson.

For further information please contact:

Sue Simpson, President, NSWTF 0419 294 255

PS Reminder : Candlelight Vigil 4.30pm Wednesday 30 May in the Domain behind parliament House

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://www.nswtf.org.au

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