Blah Blah Blah a Deer ..... More Happy News from the Department of Education and Music Services Politpburo

Note: This policy was developed without any input from Angry Parents and without respect to sensible public policy.

Press Release: Stop Press Stop Music Stop Everything

News: Trials before major changes to music service in schools


Hon JANE LOMAX-SMITH MP
Minister for Education & Children's Services
Minister for Tourism
Minister for the City of Adelaide
Contact details

August 14, 2007

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has requested that the Education Department sit down with music groups to find common ground on measures to improve music education for South Australian school children.



Dr Lomax-Smith confirmed the department would not implement major changes to the delivery of South Australia’s $7.5 million instrumental music education program before trials of the proposed measures are completed next year.



The Minister welcomed a reported call in today’s Advertiser by the Music Council of Australia that changes should be trialled before modifying the existing instrumental music program. The government announced in June that proposed changes would first be trialled.



“A collaborative approach to working with music teachers and schools to trial these new approaches is exactly what we want to see happen,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.



The Minister today announced funding would be made available to support schools which volunteered to test elements of the proposed new measures.



The funds will mean:


*
Up to 20 primary and secondary schools to trial new approaches in Year 5 whole class instrumental teaching and group tuition of Year 6 to 10 students
*
Research into creating better opportunities to involve children in Reception to Year 4 in music education
*
Maintenance of the existing instrumental music program while the trials are carried out, with any new measures being gradually introduced over five year
*
An advisory group of music educators and departmental experts overseeing the trials and working with music education groups on improving the overall program


“Ensuring skilled young people achieve excellence in music, while more children also have the opportunity to discover music, is clearly what communities want.



“The instrumental music program has served many children well over 30 years, but clearly we can do better.



“Indeed, the proposals are in line with a National Review of School Music which showed that ‘music education in Australian schools is at a critical point where prompt action is needed to right the inequalities in school music’.



“I have asked the department to involve music education groups in a collaborative approach to working out how best we can achieve the shared aims of equity and excellence.”



Revamping the music education program was proposed by an independent review, to open the door to thousands more children learning instrumental music, while also enabling skilled students to excel through specialist music support at the State’s four Special Music Schools.



“As a government, we want to ensure there is a fairer access to music education for young people in our schools.



“At the same time, if more young people have access to instrumental music, it broadens the pool of talented young people who may choose to go on to excel in a particular field of music.



“However, there are clearly differing views, with some teachers opposed to any changes that may be proposed in this and the national agenda.


“We want schools to try out the new approaches. By working together, a common sense way forward can be found that ensures the program continues to foster excellence in instrumental music, while also ensuring greater equity of access for children.”

More Happy News from Dr Lomax Smith

This is a statement of current DECS thinking related to Public School Funding. This was in response to my invitation to attend a meeting of our Governing Council next term where we are going to have to seriously consider raising school fees and other unpalatable issues.

No response on whether she or her representative might come. I even offered cookies.

Thank you for your email regarding education funding and our public schools and children’s services.

Clearly, you recognise the vital role our schools and preschools play in developing the skills and values of children.

Indeed, the Rann Government also acknowledges that the care and education of our children is at the heart of their future success, and the economic and social prosperity of South Australia. That is why, despite claims to the contrary, funding for public education has again been increased for the 2007-08 financial year. Indeed, the Budget increases total spending in education and children’s services by $127.2 million compared to the 2006-07 Budget. The Budget provides on average an extra $708 for every government school student compared to the previous Budget, which is a 6.7% increase. Since 2001-02 spending for each student has increased by $3,606.

This year, we are investing $54.9 million to deliver the latest installment of the government’s 14% pay rise for teachers. However, we are also making major reforms and re-investing savings to focus more support on priorities that will make a difference to the opportunities and skills of young people.


Many of those priorities have been supported by governing councils, school principals, teachers, parents and local communities, as reflected by views contributed during public forums and reviews that were initiated by the Rann government.

Those consultations demonstrate the fact that we are a government that listens to the community as we work together in the best interests of children. Indeed, the government has listened to the concerns of teachers, parents and others in the community who have advocated on behalf of their local schools, and decided against imposing a cost on schools for workers compensation claims. As the Premier Mike Rann has stated, this will save schools having to find nearly $17 million in their budgets in the next four years.


The government is serious about reforming the education system and working with parents and teachers to reshape schooling for the 21st century.

Our public consultations over the past five years have examined how we might better provide services, particularly in early childhood, senior secondary education, school infrastructure and training.

As a result, reforms and re-investment of taxpayers’ dollars include:

· Brand new schools as part of a $216 million Education Works investment in better school buildings and learning environments

* Investment of $28.8 million for 20 new ‘one stop’ children’s centres that bring services together for families and young children
* An $84 million ‘School to work’ reform that includes a new senior secondary ‘SACE’ qualification and new trade schools to foster practical work skills
* Increased investment in literacy and numeracy, and smaller class sizes in the early years.


Working toward reform also requires change that I acknowledge may sometimes be unpopular. However, while a number of concerns have been raised, implementation of proposed savings measures is yet to be finalised. In particular, I draw your attention to the following issues:

Unattached Teachers: Improvements in existing practices and the new local selection policy have resulted in a reduction of permanent teachers waiting for placement in our schools. The department will continue to identify and introduce new ways to manage teachers who are permanently employed, but who do not hold an ongoing position in a school, in order to allocate them to a position of genuine need as soon as possible. Progress is being made and savings already achieved are being reinvested into education.


School Accounts: Details of this proposal are being finalised with stakeholders. However, interest will be paid to schools on balances related to Out of School Hours Care, Vacation Care, canteens, Building Funds, Library Funds, Special Accounts (including Farm Accounts) and proceeds of fund raising activities.

Aquatics and Instrumental Music: No reduction in budget funds has been made despite misleading public comments by some. These valued programs will be revitalised and improved in the best interests of children and current budgets maintained.

We will continue to consult, listen and work with local communities on how we might best achieve and re-invest savings.

If you have any further enquiries about these or other savings for reinvestment announced in last year’s budget, or specific questions regarding your school, please contact your local Department for Education and Children’s Services District Office for information.

Thank you for your interest in our public education system. I have also enclosed a copy of our recent education budget overview, which highlights initiatives to further improve opportunities for children.

Yours sincerely



Jane Lomax-Smith

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES

MINISTER FOR TOURISM

Statement from Martin Hamilton Smith

CAUGHT AND CLEAN BOWLED – LOMAX-SMITH OUT

Revelations today that Premier Mike Rann has again over-ruled his Education Minister means it’s time she was dumped from Cabinet.

Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith made the call after the Premier’s announcement the government’s attempt to slip in a tax on schools had been exposed and reversed.

“Jane Lomax-Smith told parliament just last week that the decision to impose a WorkCover levy on schools was a “savings target” that would be “re-directed into education,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“She also claimed the levy was part of a massive reform agenda in education,” he said.
“Poor old Jane – she’s out their defending her way of running education and then the Premier jumps over her and says they got it wrong.
“They must be getting sick of her by now – if it’s not a personal exemption on parklands policy, it’s a stuff up in education.
“It’s time for the Minister to shuffle off to the backbench.”
Mr Hamilton-Smith said the back flip was another sign the budget strategy was unravelling at a rate of knots.
“Their wages strategy is in chaos with doctors, dentists and nurses and others in the middle of industrial action,” he said.
“Now the education strategy is in tatters and the budget is barely a few weeks old.
“It’s an embarrassment for Treasurer Foley, Premier Rann and the now wounded Jane Lomax-Smith.”

Sounds About Right.

Open Letter to Dr Jane Lomax Smith

On behalf of the Kilkenny Primary School Governing Council, on behalf of other public schools, I am writing to invite Education and Children’s Services Minister Dr Jane Lomax Smith to our next governing council to explain to our school community how to comply with the draconian financial impost she is forcing on public schools in South Australia.

The governing council is fully aware of, and remains supportive of, the need for financial stringency, but it is clearly apparent, despite Dr Lomax Smith’s statement to the contrary, that public schools have been significantly disadvantaged financially since the introductions of Partnerships 21.

Public schools will need to cut budgets by tens of thousands of dollars. These are some of our options:

• Cut the amount of SSO/student contact time or cut Guided Reading Programs;
• Cut the furniture replacement programme or library resource purchases;
• Cut the ongoing upgrade of computers;
• Cut subsidising excursions and external performances to all students;
• Cut music programmes or the supply of resources to education programs;
• Cut access to the Life Education van;
• Increase school fees to replace the lost income.

Where does this policy fit in with South Australia becoming the Education State? All of the above are of vital importance in providing the support, equipment and programs that are essential in assisting our students to prepare for and become sound members of our community. I’m sure Dr Lomax Smith would be welcome at many other governing council meetings.

Colin Campbell
Secretary
Kilkenny Primary School Governing Council

This was published in the Weekly Times Messenger on June 27 2007. We plan to personally invite some of the politicians to come and explain to our Governing Council why this is good public policy and to make suggestions on what programs to cut.