[Greens-Media] Education Dept cut, and runs

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey MEDIA RELEASE
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8 Sept 06


Education Department cut, and runs 

Deb Foskey, Greens MLA, today queried the capacity of the ACT Education Department to support teachers, students and families through the upheaval of the Towards 2020 proposal.

"The Education Department is being asked to shed a quarter of its staff, as a result of cuts mandated by this year's budget.  And some sections of the Department will be cut more severely than that" Dr Foskey said today.

"In response to my question in the Assembly, the Minister announced that staff in the Department will be assessing all the school submissions to the terrible 2020 proposal."

 "That is on top of reorganizing all the other schools that are going to have a new structure, or new students, or both.  And providing individual support for all the kids who will be dislocated or disturbed by the changes."

"And while, simultaneously, putting in place the new curriculum framework that provides more direction for teachers from preschool to year 10. (And, by the way, I understand the curriculum support section is going to be cut by more than half!)"

"I know that school communities are spending many hours preparing submissions in good faith. The least they deserve is an adequately resourced department to read and assess them."

"How, on diminishing numbers they can hope to do a good job on that escapes me."

"These massive changes to the ACT's public education system are going to have to be delivered by fewer staff, carrying much greater responsibility.  No matter how professional they are, I cannot see how they will be able to manage effectively."

"By gutting the department at the time when it's most under stress, and when the demands upon it are at their peak, this Government is showing that it will not work in partnership with anyone, even its own employees."

 "Many people have argued all along that this whole process of consultation is a sham, and that the ACT Government's vision for public education is a disaster. The lack of resources inside the Department confirms that view" Dr Foskey said.

Deb Foskey will join the Schools of NW Belconnen in their art event from 3 to 4 pm today, at Commonwealth Place beside Lake Burley Griffin.
 

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
====== www.debfoskey.com ======= 
  
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