[Greens-Media] Greens build on support for more ESL teachers

[Susie Gemmell]

29 August 2005

Greens MP and state education spokesperson Lee Rhiannon will speak today in support of the employment of 100 extra ESL teachers at a public meeting at Bankstown Girls High School. 

"The Greens are committed to fighting for more ESL teachers in NSW," said Ms Rhiannon.

"In June the Greens were successful in moving a motion calling for the employment of 100 additional ESL teachers to meet rising demand, despite the ALP voting against it.

"ESL services are critical to the educational development of children from non English speaking backgrounds.

"These students are severely penalised by the freeze on ESL teachers that has been in place since 1993.

"The Department of Education's budget bids for additional ESL positions have been knocked back by Treasury every year for the past 5 years, even though the budget came in with a $303 million surplus this year. 

"The Greens ESL motion should have been a wake up call for both the State and Federal Governments.

"Hopefully today's meeting will stir them into action." Ms Rhiannon said.


More information:  Susie Gemmell - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile:  0431 458 102
Email   susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    www.leerhiannon.org.au