State election campaign

Successive state governments have shown themselves to be bereft of a clear, optimistic and expansive vision for public education. Their policies have sacrificed educational imperatives and social justice for opportunistic short-term political gains. Bipartisan policies for funding private schools have ensured that betterments can never be achieved which advantage public schools vis a vis private schools. In the interest of comprehensive policy formulation, the NSW Teachers Federation using the Public Education Fund, with the support of parents, commissioned the independent Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW (the Vinson Inquiry).

The Vinson Inquiry uses public policy formulation, underpinned by thorough research and consultation, to advance the interests and wellbeing of our public education system and the public education community.

On May 22 the Inquiry's first report was released. Focussing on the issues of teacher professionalism, curriculum and pedagogy and laying the foundations for effective learning, many of the Vinson recommendations both reaffirm and legitimise Federation policy positions.

There will be at least two more major releases covering the following issues:

• specialist schools and associated values
• building community and physical planning
• staffing and resources allocation
• discipline and student welfare
• integration of students living with disabilities
• social disadvantage and school communities
• education in rural and remote areas
• TAFE and public education
• administrative structure and government of public education
• the cost of public education
• teacher preparation and induction into professional service
• planning capacity and future staffing requirements

The Federation's aim is to permeate the public domain with the results of the Vinson Inquiry. Conference notes that the original aim of the Inquiry was to establish long-term planning with significant, well-resourced milestones. Hence, post the state election, Federation's efforts regarding the outcomes of the Vinson Inquiry will continue unabated.

The Vinson Inquiry provides a platform by which to test Government effort and political promises.

The Federation's state election strategy will have the following phases designed to positively influence public opinion, communicate to members and mobilise the membership.

a) Dissemination and distribution of information about the Vinson Inquiry.
b) Lobbying of political parties and candidates.
c) A significant public education campaign launch conference at the Tow Hall in February 2003 to which the leaders of the major political parties will be invited. This to be subsidised by Public Education Fund.
d) Reporting to members about the outcome of specific demands put to political parties and candidates.

The period of lobbying in term 3 and term 4, 2002 is designed to influence the policy formulation of political parties and will canvass a range of issues from the Vinson Inquiry and Federation policy.

Federation will seek to influence education policies of political parties prior to the election to ensure the following major issues are addressed:

1. Class sizes in the early years.
2. Proper funding of public education to address such issues as appropriate salaries, permanency in TAFE, behaviour in schools, special education issues and professional development.
3. Industrial relations.

Public education cannot be properly resourced to achieve betterments until the nexus is broken between public education and private school funding. Federation calls for the repeal of section 21(2) of the Education Act which guarantees funding of private schools at 25 per cent of the average cost of educating a student in a public school.

The Vinson Inquiry provides a vision for public education across NSW and it is important to ensure that the recommendations are fully understood in the community. It is critical to harness support in the community and also to acknowledge the important role the Upper House can play in bringing about positive developments in education policy. In recognition of this, Federation activities will take place across all electorates.

Action

2. Market research will be undertaken to ensure that our state election communication strategy correctly targets all audiences and the issues which resonate with the electorate.

3. Paid publicity will include leaflets, radio, billboards and other advertising as appropriate. The Federation will deploy a dedicated campaign team from term 3 this year to prepare materials including media releases and responses to the political parties' media spin.

Current affairs programs on all TV channels be approached to have a special panel/audience presentation focussing on education and the Vinson Report, with Tony Vinson as the central guest. This is to take place if possible both in term 4, 2002 and term 1, 2003.

4. The Federation will continue to engage in productive dialogue with our allies in the public education community to establish a consensus view on the Inquiry recommendations. They will form the centrepiece of our demands on the political parties as part of the state election. The agreed recommendations will be publicised and distributed widely across the electorate during term 4 for school and association meetings where the membership will be apprised of the priority matters.

Federation Officers and activists will continue the process of distributing information through P&C meetings and wherever possible, public meetings.

5. Early term 4 an information Sky Channel for school community representatives will be organised to co-ordinate and launch our lobbying.

Professor Vinson, parents and principal groups will be invited to appear on the Sky Channel. Lobby kits will be prepared for the delegates. This will assist the co-ordination and, where necessary, the re-invigoration of Public Education Lobbies through which parents, teachers and principals will commence a period of intensive political lobbying during term 4.

6. Public Education Lobbies and Associations will be encouraged to lobby all sitting members of parliament and prominent candidates in every state electorate. Federation will fully support the lobby group re-invigoration process and subsequent activities undertaken. Executive will monitor these activities. The lobbying activities will be supported by the production of relevant material promoting the agreed recommendations from the Vinson Inquiry. A series of questions will be put to sitting members of parliament and prominent candidates as part of a major lobbying exercise at Parliament House at the end of term 4, 2002.

Public Education Lobbies and Associations will be requested to seek a commitment or a response from candidates in relation to the questions raised, with a view to a reporting in every state electorate. This reporting will be publicised widely, including in local media early in 2003.

7. Federation will support TAFE TA in the development of a lobbying campaign prior to the state election. This will include:

• lobbyists training on September 19
• institute/regional/branch plans for lobbying including meetings at TAFE colleges with candidates
• parliamentary briefs and targeted leaflets for electorates
• launch of the Federation's TAFE lobbying campaign
• advertising through local papers and billboards
• local media action.

9. Professor Vinson will be requested and if he accepts, engaged to write a booklet of the recommendations ready for mass distribution by January 2003.

10. A significant public education event will be organised in February, 2003 to which the major political leaders will be invited.

11. Councils in 2002 and February 2003 will further develop the campaign strategy.

12. Federation urges all Associations to use local media outlets to highlight the failure of the Government to provide comfortable, healthy and pleasant working/learning environments for all staff and students in our schools. Further, schools staffs are encouraged to use their local Association to contact parents and local Members of Parliament regarding any dirty, drab and unattractive learning environments in their schools. This campaign should be maintained throughout the lead up to the next state election.

13. All elected Officers of the NSW Teachers Federation be requested to make themselves available to participate in talkback radio programs where they can make use of their oratory skills and correct background knowledge of the campaign, the Vinson Inquiry and public education issues in general. Teachers and union activists should also be encouraged to participate in the same manner.

2002 Annual Conference decisions

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005