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An affiliate of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Education International (EI) Media Release Media Release Media Release
Australian Education Union - Federal Office Ground Floor, 120 Clarendon Street, Southbank, Victoria, 3006 Phone : +61 (0)3 9693 1800 Fax : +61 (0)3 9693 1805 Email : aeu@aeufederal.org.au Website : www.aeufederal.org.au
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Gonski Rallies a Call to Action by Premiers and Chief Ministers
As community rallies are held around the nation today to support the Gonski schools funding reforms, the Australian Education Union has said political leaders face a stark choice about the future of education.
“State and territory leaders have an historic opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the children in their schools - by ensuring every child, no matter where they go to school, no matter what their background, has access to an excellent education,” Australian Education Union Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos said today.
“For Coalition Premiers like Denis Napthine and Campbell Newman this is a test of their leadership. Are they prepared to put the interests of kids in their states first, or will they succumb to electoral politics and play games to help out Tony Abbott in September?” said Mr Gavrielatos.
He said he is encouraged by reports that both South Australia and Tasmania are close to signing up, but that there is no reason for any leader to delay signing up.
“The Gonski Review made clear, beyond all doubt, that our system of schools funding is broken. And even the Federal Coalition acknowledged this week that the Report gives us the ‘roadmap’ to improving our kids’ education,” said Mr Gavrielatos.
“At its core, the Gonski reforms about two things - more resources, and better results. It’s our chance to turn things around for the kids who are being left behind at school, and may struggle to ever catch up,” said Mr Gavrielatos.
He said that Australian parents rightly expect that education should be beyond politics.
“In many cases, all a struggling student needs is a bit of extra help early on to catch up, and then they will catch up and thrive throughout their school years. But in too many schools, there are not the resources they need to give their students the support they need. We must stop cutting resources to schools, and instead decide to invest in education,” continued Mr Gavrielatos.
“It’s exciting to think about what Principals and teachers would be able to achieve with these additional resources in their schools - be that a program focussed on lifting literacy and numeracy, or specialist teachers to support students with disabilities or behavioural problems. We know that investing in these areas gets results. State and territory leaders must sign up without delay,” Mr Gavrielatos concluded.
RALLY DETAILS
QLD Spring Hill Corner, Roma St Parkland, Brisbane 12:30 - 2:30pm
NSW Stewart House, Carrington Pde, South Curl Curl, Sydney 11:30am-1:30pm
VIC Treasury Gardens, Melbourne 12:30-2pm
TAS Parliament House Lawns, Hobart 12-1pm
SA Parliament House, Adelaide 10am-11am
NT Leanyer Water Park, Darwin and Town Hall lawns, Alice Springs 10:30am - midday
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