Keep TAFE professional

TAFE teachers' protest

	Keep TAFE professional

TAFE teachers protested outside the Department of Education and Training head office today holding signs which stated 'Keep TAFE Professional - qualified teachers essential to our future'.

The protest was about a range of recent state government actions that are undermining TAFE. These actions include the increase in TAFE student fees; the government's attempts to downgrade the TAFE teacher education qualification and a disastrous restructure being pushed under the mantra of doing business in the 21st century. The restructure particularly targets the access and equity areas of TAFE.

Maree O'Halloran, Federation President, told the rally that the government's attacks on public education extended across schools and TAFE and it was important that all members stood firm and supported the strike on 22 May.

Michaela Kronemann, Research Consultant, addressed the rally about a comparative analysis she has conducted on NSW TAFE student fees which shows that NSW TAFE fees have become more and more inequitable. Indeed, NSW higher level courses are more expensive than courses in almost every other system for students undertaking a full time load of 540-720 hours a year. The majority of students in certificate and diploma courses are part time and they have to pay the same fee each year. The fee structure fails to facilitate flexible study.

Linda Simon, TAFE Teachers Association Secretary and AEU National TAFE President, reminded the rally that TAFE is under threat across Australia and it is still not clear what the Federal government has in mind concerning a new funding agreement for TAFE.

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Last Modified: 12 May 2008