Stand against federal blackmail

By Maree O’Halloran

Finally, an element of rationality appears to have entered the public arena in relation to the Federal Government's funding threats, writes MAREE O'HALLORAN.

The Industrial Relations Commission said in its decision about the student reports dispute on November 3: "It is difficult to accept that a government would withdraw funding from a State school system and deny education to the student population."

Finally, an element of rationality appears to have entered the public arena in relation to the Federal Government's funding threats.

Perhaps this statement may be the catalyst to end the linking of regressive educational change to direct federal funding arrangements. If that is too much to hope for, then perhaps it may signal an end to the State Government's continuing obeisance to the Federal Government on educational issues.

Teachers, at least, have made the decision that they must stand against Federal Government funding blackmail. This is particularly so where it has the potential to damage educational outcomes for some or all children.

Following the Industrial Relations Commission decision, Federation again calls on the State Government to commit to an agreed plan for a student report framework to be implemented in 2007. The State Government must start to make educational policy in the interest of students in public schools rather than in fear of the Federal Government.

Indeed, one of the worst aspects of the funding withdrawal threats is that policy decisions are not discussed, debated and agreed by the teaching profession before implementation. Teachers, who have the professional qualifications and expertise, must be involved in any changes to assessment and reporting practices.

The majority of NSW public schools will not have implemented the government-imposed, "one size fits all", student reports in 2006. They have not been implemented because they are educationally unsound and the timeline was logistically impossible. It is possible that as a result the Federal Government will withdraw funds from public schools. If so, then another political battle commences. That battle encompasses the funding of public schools and the value placed on public school students by respective governments. If funds are not withdrawn, then the Federal Government's threats lose their efficacy as a means of intimidation.

Meanwhile, as the Federal Government threatens funds to public schools, private schools will receive yet another windfall: Prime Minister John Howard's $90 million (over three years) chaplaincy scheme will overwhelmingly benefit private schools. Furthermore, chaplains will inevitably propagate a particular faith.

According to Andrew Lynch from the Centre of Public Law, University of NSW, "If the separation of church and state means anything, it is that the Government should not use public money to decide which religious opinions are to be promoted at the expense of others." (The Age, October 31)

Public schools are open to, and welcome, children from all religious faiths. The secular nature of public schools means that they create an environment which allows freedom from, and freedom for all religions. Federation believes that the $90 million should have been targeted to increasing the number of school counsellors. Professor Tony Vinson identified the shortage of school counsellors as a major issue in his Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW.

Without training or professional qualifications, the Prime Minister's chaplains will be given access to vulnerable and troubled students. This does not appear to concern the Prime Minister who told the John Laws program the following: "I think a chaplaincy, and the background and the fact that the person is connected with a particular stream of belief...adds a dimension to the care they provide." (quoted in The Age October 31, 2006)

The Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, has supported John Howard's chaplaincy program. The next step in the Federal Government's campaign to introduce retrograde policies by blackmail is to be the introduction of so-called "performance pay". Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop has said that she will link the next quadrennium funding arrangements to individual contracts for school teachers. The Federal Government's notion of "performance pay" encompasses individual contracts, payment on the basis of student results and bonus pay paid at the discretion of the principal.

Federal Labor has announced a policy to "recognise and reward quality teaching in public schools" which would be implemented via awards or collective agreements. Labor's policy proposes that the common incremental scale be maintained. Over and above the scale, about an additional $10,000 would be available for teachers who met "highly accomplished" teaching standards. Teachers would need to be re-accredited at this standard every five years. On the basis that Labor has committed to working within the award structure, Federation believes this policy is worth exploring and is superior to the Coalition policy.

The Coalition intends to implement the Federal Government's industrial relations agenda in public schools and TAFE colleges (which are not constitutional corporations) via federal funding blackmail arrangements. Federation is, with the broader union movement, fighting that industrial relations agenda. All Federation workplaces are asked to maximise attendance at the November 30 Sky Channel meetings and rallies. The campaign against the Federal Government's industrial relations laws and funding blackmail must continue to gain momentum. The strength of the campaign will help ensure that workers who are vulnerable now are protected by the force of public opinion. The strength of the campaign will also contribute to the defeat of the Howard Government.

On a final note, The Sun Herald on October 29 ran a story entitled "Birthing boom to put a squeeze on schools" in the inner city of Sydney. Many members will recall the Department's so-called Building the Future plan in 2001. The aim of that plan was to close and cannibalise some schools to rebuild others. Parents and teachers argued to deaf departmental ears that a birthing boom was on the way. Parents and teachers saved some schools but others were lost. Building the Future saw public schools close while government funded private schools with fewer enrolments stayed open in the same area. If demographics show that a school must close, then the public school in any community should be the last to close.

For further information

November 2006 contents