BALMAIN PRIMARY SCHOOLS HIT BY LIBERALS' $1.7 BILLION EDUCATION CUTS

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday, 19 September 2012

John Robertson MP, NSW Opposition Leader             
Carmel Tebbutt MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Education
Penny Sharpe MLC, Duty MLC for Balmain

BALMAIN PRIMARY SCHOOLS HIT BY LIBERALS' $1.7 BILLION EDUCATION CUTS

Local schools in Balmain will be worse off under Barry O'Farrell's $1.7 billion school funding cuts – with Balmain Public School and Father John Therry School both facing cuts in the classroom.

NSW Labor Opposition Leader John Robertson and Labor MLC for Balmain Penny Sharpe visited Balmain this morning to talk to local teachers and parents and launch a petition to stop the cuts.

"The O'Farrell Government has made it clear that educating our kids isn't a priority by cutting $1.7 billion from schools and TAFE colleges across the State," said Mr Robertson.

"At public schools like Balmain Primary, I'm worried we'll see an increase in class sizes, a reduction in support for children with special needs and cuts to basic resources like paper and whiteboards as the result of these funding cuts.

"At Catholic Schools like Father John Therry, parents could face higher fees because the Government has cut $116 million from non-Government schools alone.

"I'm disappointed that the local Greens MP Jamie Parker has decided not to stand up against the cuts to Catholic and independent schools."

"Education funding shouldn't be a case of either or and no child should have to contend with cuts in the classroom in this day and age.

"Labor has launched a campaign this week to 'save our schools' and I am calling on all local parents and teachers to get behind the campaign to stop the cuts.

"The O'Farrell Government doesn't seem to understand how important it is that our kids receive a great education - so sign the petition and send Barry O'Farrell a message today."

The O'Farrell Government's cuts to schools and TAFE colleges include:

•    $1.7 billion to be cut from public schools, Catholic schools, independent schools and TAFE colleges;
•    1800 teachers, TAFE teachers and support staff to be sacked;
•    TAFE fees to increase by 9.5 per cent; and
•    The government will stop subsidising certain TAFE courses.

Shadow Minister for Education Carmel Tebbutt said: "You cannot cut 1800 staff from the education and training system and not impact on teaching and learning."

Labor MLC for Balmain, Penny Sharpe said: "Father John Therry and Balmain Public School sit side by side and both offer a great standard of education to local students."

"I call on everyone in the local community to get behind the 'save our school' campaign."