Federal Government pulls the plug on literacy vouchers

By Sally Edsall

Legislation enabling the Howard Government literacy vouchers to proceed in NSW did not pass through Federal Parliament before the election was called.

The proposed scheme provided $700 vouchers to parents of year 3 students who achieved Band 1 in the Basic Skills Test literacy component in 2003, or were exempt from doing the BST. The vouchers were to be spent on literacy tutoring for the student. The NSW Government had applied to be the broker for implementing the scheme.

On September 4 Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge said the NSW Education Department "had already spent $100 000 writing to parents and preparing to offer special tutorial programs through schools".

The Minister issued a press release saying that the NSW DET would now have to write to parents saying there is no money to fund the program.

Federation warned the NSW Government that its rush to support the political stunt of Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson was ill-conceived.

In the federal election context, the NSW Government should support any proposals for enhanced funding to public schools to better meet the needs of students identified as needing additional assistance with literacy learning.

Sally Edsall is Relieving Editor.

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