TAFE teachers rally over sale of Scone TAFE

Teachers, students and community members will rally in Muswellbrook outside the office of Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, 20 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, at 12.30pm on Tuesday 23 February 2021.

Phil Chadwick from the NSW Teachers Federation said expressions of interest for the purchase of the Scone TAFE Campus close today with the sale of the property going ahead without community consultation.

He said those opposing the sale were heartened last night when the Upper Hunter Shire Council passed a motion to stop the sale and calling on TAFE Minister Geoff Lee to order full consultation with the community about the impact of selling off Scone TAFE.

“It’s incredibly disappointing that the NSW Government and in particular the local MP Mr Johnson are not backing TAFE.

“What locals deserve is the choice to be able to study at the Connected Learning Centre or through face-to-face learning at the main campus and have the same access to high quality vocational training as students in Sydney,” Mr Chadwick said.

“The Teachers Federation is concerned that any lease-back arrangements will not be sustained in the longer term.”

“If Scone TAFE falls into the hands of a developer or Private Registered Training Organisation its future is no longer under community control.”

“The NSW government must stop the gradual privatisation of TAFE by selling public assets such as Scone TAFE college.”

He said the NSW Teachers Federation was calling on the State Government to stop the sale of Scone TAFE college and consult with the community about the site’s future.”