More than 505,000 students attended TAFE colleges in NSW during 2001. Across Australia, more than double the number of students attend TAFE as university. At the same time, we turn away some 40,000 students a year.
Neither state nor federal governments have met their commitment to TAFE!
The federal government has only in this ANTA Agreement (2001-2003) restored growth funding of $230 million to TAFE over three years. The claim by state and territory governments was for just over $900m extra in growth funding to address the funding cuts and freeze of previous years. In other words, the present ANTA Agreement has provided about one third of what the state and territory ministers said that they needed in 2001.
The reality is that TAFE NSW has been under enormous financial pressure as a result of the federal government's policy of 'growth through efficiencies' and other cost reducing measures. From 1997 to 2000, there was an increase of almost 180,000 student places in TAFE throughout Australia, yet expenditure on student services has fallen from 4.3% to 2.3% of total expenditure, and employee costs from 66% to 64.2% of total expenditure. Quality education in TAFE has suffered.
How has TAFE NSW fared under this funding crisis?
Over the last two state budgets, TAFE has been cut in real terms by $140 million, ie a budget cut of 10.2%.
Since 1997, NSW has spent $77 million on redundancies for TAFE staff. Over 600 experienced qualified teachers have been given redundancies. Over half of the teaching effort is now being carried out by part time casual teachers. As hourly paid "casuals" these valuable teachers are paid only for their teaching and preparation time, not to provide any additional support that students might need outside class time. The NSW Teachers Federation is presently negotiating a staffing agreement with the Department of Education and Training. To increase the number of permanent teachers in TAFE, additional government funding will be required.
The state budget this financial year must provide an increase in real terms to fully fund the pay rises agreed to in the Teachers 2000 Award, of 4% due on July 1 2002 and 5% due on January 1 2003 and to address the permanency issues within the TAFE staffing agreement. The NSW government has not yet committed itself to this. If it does not, TAFE courses and services to students will be cut to pay for staff pay rises. At the same time, the state government must ensure that a greater proportion of TAFE funds goes directly to teaching and learning activities.
Teachers throughout TAFE talk of the pressures to cut course hours and to increase class sizes. Students suffer as they do not receive the education they are entitled to. The range of course options, especially for rural communities has been reduced. Industry and the community in NSW will suffer as well.
We ask for your support. State and federal budgets for TAFE must be increased. We look forward to working with you to ensure that this happens. Contact Linda Simon TAFE TA Secretary on 9217 2311,
Phil Bradley, Assistant General Secretary Post School Education on 9217 2100 at the NSW Teachers Federation, or the Federation Representatives at colleges in your electorate, to discuss these issues further.
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