The challenge for the Iemma Government

The recently re-elected Bracks government has made a huge promise to re-build the ageing Victorian school stock. SALLY EDSALL asks: What is the Iemma Government offering NSW schools?

The Iemma Government has put its concern about the Howard Government's workplace laws into policy which it is prepared to publicly enunciate. Premier Iemma made an excellent speech to 50,000 people on the streets of Sydney on November 30 at the end of the Your Rights at Work rally and march. The challenge remains, however, for Iemma to deliver on education, for example, maintenance and resourcing in NSW schools remains an ongoing concern.

So far, the NSW Opposition has promised:

• 200 new English as a second language (ESL) teachers to address the severe neglect of ESL provision, which sees more than half of ESL students missing out. (A Federation survey of ESL provision reported on by Federation Multicultural Officer Penny Carosi in November 2005 showed the shortfall to be well in excess of the 100 identified by Tony Vinson in 2003.)
• A lowering of student numbers from 25 to 20 required by one-teacher schools for getting funding for a second teacher. Small schools could decide how to utilise the resource -- specialist teachers, additional classroom teacher, or a combination. It is estimated this would affect 47 schools and cost $14 million over four years.
• Establishment of a 'Professional Support Inspectorate' to provide support and professional development to teachers experiencing difficulties. Support would be provided by seconded teachers. This proposal is short in detail and, apart from the old-fashioned name, could prove to be valuable mentoring-type support to teachers experiencing difficulty. It is expressly stated it should be 'non-punitive'.
• An additional $362 million over four years for pre-schools, and bringing community pre-schools into the education portfolio.
• The introduction of a long term, capital renewal plan to address the maintenance backlog.
• An end to the requirement for students diagnosed with moderate or severe intellectual difficulties to undertake Basic Skills Tests. Currently they must take the tests unless parents opt them out. These students would be exempt. In the words of the Coalition, they are "set up for failure".

It must be made clear that the only mention the Coalition has made of the funding source for their promises is cuts to "backroom bureaucracy" with funds reallocated to "frontline services". Presumably this means a slash and burn of public sector worker positions that are essential to keep the state running, including payroll, leave and other administrative staff.

In addition, with respect to student reports, the shadow education spokesperson Brad Hazzard, said on June 22, that:

"The Liberal/Nationals have previously stated that, once in Government, students from kindergarten to year 3 will be exempt from the A-E reporting system," and that, "Reports for older students will be left open for the school community to decide on the most appropriate way to report a child's progress."

They have also criticised the Government for not providing additional school counsellors, identified in the Vinson report as being essential.

Over to you, Minister Tebbutt and Premier Iemma.

Sally Edsall is a Research Officer.

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Last Modified: 07 Dec 2006