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NSW needs an education minister to counter Gillard's Thatcherism
Sunday 10 August 2008
Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard is pushing the states to introduce vouchers for vocational education and league tables-like ranking of public schools. With only an acting minister, the Iemma government is unable to defend its education systems, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: "Julia Gillard has gone on a right wing bender and there is no one minding the shop in NSW.
"If the federal education minister gets away with her plans, the state's TAFE colleges will be pillaged by low cost, low quality private providers.
"Public schools will be punished for attempting to educate the more challenging students.
"Acting NSW Minister John Hatzistergos has shown little interest in his temporary portfolio. He is unlikely to mount a serious defence against Julia Gillard's extremist schemes.
"NSW Premier Morris Iemma urgently needs to resolve John Della Bosca's future.
"This is a particularly bad time to be without anyone at the helm of the state's two thousand four hundred public schools and one hundred and thirty TAFE campuses.
"Vouchers would attract students and funding to private colleges and starve TAFE of resources.
"League tables would punish schools that serve disadvantaged communities.
"The UK experience shows that publishing comparative data about schools fails to improve outcomes. The US experience demonstrates the damage done by vouchers.
"Without a strong voice at the table, the nation's largest TAFE and public education systems will not be represented.
"Premier Iemma needs to appoint a strong advocate for public schools and TAFE colleges in a hurry," Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
