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Minister takes strong stand on TAFE
24 April 2008
TAFE teachers congratulate John Della Bosca, the NSW Minister for Education and Training, for the strong stand he has taken against the extension of a national training market with fully competitive funding.
This issue was discussed at the meeting of Vocational Education and Training Ministers in Melbourne on 17 April 2008 and it appears that the Minister was one of the few taking a stand to support continued allocated funding for TAFE.
At a time of critical skills shortages, it is unfortunate that not all Education Ministers recognised the importance of ensuring a strong quality TAFE system. TAFE NSW has an excellent record in providing courses required by industry, community and individuals. Enrolments were strong in most areas this year, and numbers of students continue to grow. Surely this indicates a confidence in the value of a TAFE qualification.
The Ministerial meeting considered a report commissioned by the previous Federal Government and undertaken by the Boston Consulting Group. It is apparent that this report and its recommendations were developed for a different purpose and a different time in our political and economic history.
The report should be put aside and principles developed for a new funding agreement between the Commonwealth and states and territories that recognises the different roles of TAFE and private VET providers. At a time when the Federal Government is talking up cooperative arrangements, it makes little sense to set in place a funding agreement based on competition for government funds, which is what was suggested by the report. Competition for education funds has proved of little value to those most disadvantaged and marginalised in our communities, nor should it be used as the basis for addressing skills shortages. The Federation agrees with the Minister's statement that the Boston Consulting Group Report should be junked.
However, in congratulating the Minister for his stand, TAFE teachers also note that the issue of quality teaching and teachers was discussed at both the MCEETYA and MCVTE meetings and remind the Minister that the recent move by the NSW Government to remove university level teacher education qualifications as a pre-requisite for confirmation of appointment as a permanent TAFE teacher, is a retrograde step and will undermine the strong quality education system that we now have in TAFE NSW. The Federation calls on the Minister to withdraw this proposed change and work with TAFE teachers to support the profession of TAFE teaching.
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