Kevin Foley Arrogant Bully

View from the Australian Education Union

Treasurer Kevin Foley's blunt refusal to discuss public education funding with school communities has provoked an angry reaction and the likelihood of a state wide stop work next week.

AEU State President Andrew Gohl says Mr Foley is callously ignoring the concerns of teachers, principals and parents and appears hell bent on taxing our children and compromising their learning.

"Mr Foley claims his government is spending more on public education. Yet schools and preschools are to have 1% of their budgets cut - that's in the order of $50,000 to $100,000 for most schools," Mr Gohl says.

"Cuts of that magnitude mean one thing - an attack on kids' opportunity to learn. Schools will be forced to cut staff, cut programs or both. Preschools will be forced to choose between employing a teacher or employing an Early Childhood Worker, when the reality is they need both."

"Kevin Foley isn't even prepared to listen to our concerns. He is sacrificing our children's futures to fund a couple of razzle dazzle education projects. It is an outrage!" Mr Gohl says.

"Such is the level of dismay and disgust that we've been contacted by teachers and principals across the state wanting to take action. Accordingly, we've listened to their concerns - unlike the treasurer."

"We're today sending a ballot out to all schools and preschools asking them to vote on stop work action for Thursday June 28. We've asked for the results to be returned by close of business on Monday."

"We are proposing a one hour stop work meeting from 2.30 until 3.30 pm. Our aim is to minimise inconvenience to parents while sending a strong message to the government that we're prepared to defend schools and defend our children's right to quality learning."

"From the strong turnout of more than 4000 people at last week's rally at Parliament House, we know we have the strong backing of most parents. They don't want to see their children's futures jeopardised by a government prepared to put ledger sheets ahead of learning. We're confident they'll support our action and appreciate our efforts to minimise the impact on them" Mr Gohl says.

"This government intends to strip money, insultingly described as an "efficiency dividend" every year until at least 2010. This means a haemorrhaging of funds from programs for our kids and is a direct attack on their ability to learn. It is an absolute disgrace that the treasurer, and indeed the education minister, have flatly refused to meet the AEU or representatives from principal and parent organisations."

At least the South Australian Primary Principals Association has good resources on bullying. Perhaps the Principals can use it to fight off DECS bullies.