[Greens-Media] SA Adults Should Get a 'Second Chance' to Finish High School

[Tammy Franks]

Tammy Franks, MLC
Greens Member of the SA Legislative Council

Wednesday 13th October 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

The Greens support teachers, students and their families rallying today
to protest the Rann Government's planned budget cuts to adult re-entry
secondary schools.

Greens Education spokesperson Tammy Franks MLC said: "Adult re-entry
schools are for those who were previously often failed by the school
system, or even by society, to have a second chance. With these budget
cuts their Government is now also failing them.

"This is yet another short-sighted and ill-conceived proposal adopted
from the Sustainable Budget Commission that has not stood the up to the
test of community benefit or true sustainability. Investment in creating
community capacity and social capital is sustainable; cutting off access
to a better life and academic opportunity is not.

"These wonderful schools have given new starts and brighter futures to
thousands of adult students in past years but under these cruel cuts
that second chance will be stripped away for anyone over 21.

"Education is the key to opportunity - it is simply short-sighted and
cruelto deny people access.

"Adult re-entry schools are treasured educational resources for
community and supporting people and communities most in need.

"Government claims that the schools are being used for WEA-style
'leisure courses' could be addressed by ensuring appropriate entry
mechanisms internally by these schools - not by cutting access
altogether for anyone over 21.

"I have had emails, letters and phone calls on this issue and some of
the stories have been quite moving. These have all been stories of how
people's lives have been turned around for the better because they were
given a second chance at finishing school," she concluded.

WHAT:     Save Adult Re-entry Schools Rally
WHEN:     4.30pm Wednesday 13th October
WHERE:    Parliament House Steps, Adelaide

For comment contact Tammy Franks on 0457 549 938 or 8237 9296

Jamnes Danenberg <jamnes.danenberg at parliament.sa.gov.au>
Advisor to Tammy Franks MLC
Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000

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