Education Debate come to Katoomba

Education debate comes to Katoomba

2:30pm Saturday November 10 

Blackburn’s Family Hotel 15 Parke St. Katoomba

(download A4 poster) (download small flyer) (November Union News)

Parents of school children across the Mountains have been taking part in meetings with the Teachers Federation to hear about the impact of State Government funding cuts to education.

Parents & Citizens Associations, including Faulconbridge Public and Blackheath Public, have heard from NSW Teachers Federation organiser, Michael de Wall that the $1.7 billion cuts will hit hard.

In addition to the impacts of fewer funds, the union says principals will take the blame if something goes wrong, and special education needs will not be met under the Local Schools, Local Decisions policy.

Mr de Wall will join with NSW TAFE Teachers Association President, Phil Chadwick, to discuss the impact of the funding cuts to both schools and TAFE in the Blue Mountains. They will be joined by Springwood trainee teacher, Keely Tregillgas, who will share her insights into the profession from the student teacher perspective.

The event, open to the public, is part of the Politics in the Pub series organized by the Blue Mountains Union Council, will take place at 2.30 on Saturday 10 November at the Family Hotel in Katoomba.

Mr Chadwick says TAFE NSW now finds itself at a crossroad.

“Under the federal ALP's COAG Partnership Agreement, all states and territories are required to open their Vocational Education and Training systems up to competition from private for profit making providers, while at the same time students retain an “Entitlement” to a  government funded place in the training system,” Mr Chadwick says.

“The experiences of other states such as Victoria provide evidence of a completely different outcome once the partnership agreement is implemented by Liberal state governments,” he says.

“At present NSW students already have access to a high quality low cost public vocational education system, which they are able to access at any number of times throughout their life.”

Trish Doyle, Blue Mountains Union Council Board member, who will moderate the discussion, says she’d love to see teachers, parents and students at the event.

“As a teacher and parent I am really worried about funding cuts to our education sector,” Ms Doyle said.

“Our community need to know what’s in store and how we can respond. This forum will be informative so please come along.”

No bookings needed. For information contact: Deb Smith 47871401