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Keep TAFE Professional
19 March 2008
Maree O'Halloran President of the NSW Teachers Federation launched the 'Keep TAFE Professional' campaign today.The attempts by the State Government to undermine teaching qualifications in TAFE should be a concern for the whole community.
The Federation is determined that permanent TAFE teachers will continue to have the support of TAFE NSW to gain university level teaching qualifications as a condition of being made permanent teachers.
"It is critical that permanent TAFE teachers have the same high standards and expertise that school teachers have," said Ms O'Halloran.
"The proposed downgrading of teacher education qualifications in TAFE, was sprung on the Federation at the end of 2007. Since then we have sought to turn this around. We have been forced to lodge a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission, but at the same time have expressed our willingness to consider appropriate courses and alternative support for teachers to gain these qualifications. What we are not willing to compromise on is the level of the qualification. The Government is suggesting that a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is sufficient for all teachers in TAFE. We maintain that TAFE teachers should remain professionals with professional teaching qualifications," said Ms O'Halloran.
"TAFE colleges across the state have met and indicated their preparedness to take industrial action on this matter. Their initial action will be to join their school colleagues at the Stop Work Sky Channel meeting on 8 April."
"Our launch today makes the message clear, 'Keep TAFE Professional - qualified teachers essential for our future'. Posters have been sent out to all TAFE colleges, and TAFE teachers will be visiting their local State Government members of Parliament in the lead up to the Sky Channel meeting with this message," said Ms O'Halloran.
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