I sent this letter to all Members of State Parliament. I will keep a record of who responds and I will be interested to hear anyone who will stand up and say that this is good public policy.
Dear Member of State Parliament
As an officer of a Public Primary School Governing Council, in the Adelaide suburbs, I am appalled that the Labor State Government is planning
to make our children pay for your government's so called efficiency dividends. Why should public education and student learning again suffer at the hands of
politicians and bureaucrats?
Is the South Australian Labor Party plan for Public School Education, Dumb and Dumber (Better Go Private). How can members of a Labor Party philosophically support policies that are by default undermining public schools and making more people seriously consider private schools.
It is my understanding that currently the State Government is proposing to remove $72 Million from the Public Schools in the next three years. Based upon information provided by our Principal, the impact is
anticipated to be $20,000 to $30,000 per year. It is my understanding that similar cuts, proportional to the size of the school will face all public schools in South Australia.
The State Government trumpets South Australia as a state supportive of
education and the development of skills for the new economy. In what way does cutting funding for public education fit into this plan. Is this a back door plan to force kids into Private Schools or enormous Super Schools?
At the same time as supporting
huge tax breaks to private US Universities, you and your
government are stealing from the most valuable resource that this
state has, children. How much more do you want to take out of class room resources and support staff. Indeed, why shouldn't our kids share in the prosperity of a booming economy after the years of denial brought about by the financial
stringencies that followed the state bank disaster?
These cuts will be felt most dramatically in areas of most value to
our children in teaching resources and programmes. It makes me very
mad that you would support this. Public schools are already
underfunded and need more resources, not less
In plain terms, for our school this could mean increases in school fees, reductions in Guided Reading to one day a week, no new computing upgrades, reductions in Front Office Support, reductions in maintenance budgets, reductions in Library Budgets, withdrawal of subsidies for activities and excursions, increases in School Fees, reduction of budgets for classrooms and other discretionary spending. The list is very long. If you are comfortable with this, then do nothing. If not, please do something. These types of impacts will affect all children who attend Public Schools anywhere in South Australia. All schools are facing the same types of cuts.
The current back down that has made on the proposed cuts on the Work Cover Levy is only a small part of the overall proposed reductions to schools funds and while good, should not have been proposed in the first place.
As a professional working in Adelaide, I regularly see how difficult it is to find suitably qualified and trained employees. I fail to see how reducing funding for public education helps to turn this around.
So my question to you as a Member of the State Labor Government and presumably as a supporter of these cuts in funding for public education, can you please tell me, my family and all the other families with children in State Public Schools in South Australia, why you support draconian cuts in funding for Public School Education.
I have listened to Dr Jane Lomax Smith, the Minister for Education try to defend the indefensible and am not convinced that a good argument has been made for implementing these cuts.
I am just looking for somebody to stand up and explain to me why this is such a good idea. I can then explain to my kids when their programmes and resources are cut back.
Make Public Education exempt from your budget cuts and 'efficiency dividends'.
Shame on this State Labor Government.
Don't steal from kids.
I am happy to provide a street address and telephone number if you would like to communicate with me in another way.
You are also welcome to take a look at my blog that I developed to focus on this issue. I would welcome your feedback.
http://salaborlollyjarthieves.blogspot.com
Thank you for your time
Colin Campbell
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Monday, 25 June 2007
Letter from Dr Jane Lomax Smith
Dear Mr Campbell
Thank you for your email regarding education funding and your expression of support for 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 instalment 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. These public consultations over the past five years examined how government 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:
Workers Compensation: We have seen a 25% reduction in the number of open claims from 2005/06 to 2006/07 thanks to the efforts of teachers, principals and other staff. The Department of Education and Children’s Services believes further improvement is possible by giving schools greater local management responsibility for workers compensation. The aim is to achieve savings by reducing the number and duration of compensation claims, because we would rather that money be spent on children’s education.
While the finer details are being worked out with stakeholders, the impact on school budgets will be reduced through effective management of occupational health and safety at the local level.
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, and reviews of these programs are still being carried out. 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 (Name title case and not bold)
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES
MINISTER FOR TOURISM
MINISTER FOR THE CITY OF ADELAIDE
So what does this Polly Speak really mean?
Thank you for your email regarding education funding and your expression of support for 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 instalment 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. These public consultations over the past five years examined how government 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:
Workers Compensation: We have seen a 25% reduction in the number of open claims from 2005/06 to 2006/07 thanks to the efforts of teachers, principals and other staff. The Department of Education and Children’s Services believes further improvement is possible by giving schools greater local management responsibility for workers compensation. The aim is to achieve savings by reducing the number and duration of compensation claims, because we would rather that money be spent on children’s education.
While the finer details are being worked out with stakeholders, the impact on school budgets will be reduced through effective management of occupational health and safety at the local level.
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, and reviews of these programs are still being carried out. 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 (Name title case and not bold)
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES
MINISTER FOR TOURISM
MINISTER FOR THE CITY OF ADELAIDE
So what does this Polly Speak really mean?
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