SSTUWA - State School Teachers' Union of Western Australia

National Day of Action for Public Education

Parents, teachers and principals from across Australia will take part today in a National Day of Action for Public Education.

The Australian Education Union said that the day was designed to provide a final opportunity for public school communities to have their say on school funding before the end of the federal funding review next month.

The day is supported by the AEU, the Australian Council of State School Organisations, the Australian Secondary Principals Association and the Australian Government Primary Principals Association.

“The funding review is a once in a generation opportunity to put in place fairer funding arrangements,” AEU Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos said.

“Parents, teachers and principals will be sending messages to the funding review and the Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett about the importance of investing more in public education and the benefits it would bring to students, local communities and the nation.

“The existing federal funding system is everything that it shouldn’t be. It is inequitable and unsustainable and fails to deliver an adequate share of resources to public schools.”

In the lead up to the National Day of Action, high profile Australians such as The Hon. Michael Kirby, Geoffrey Robertson QC and Professor Peter Doherty have indicated their support for greater funding for public schools.

Mr Gavrielatos called on state and territory governments to allow teachers to participate in the day.

“Unfortunately in Victoria we have seen the State Government attempting to stop public school communities having their say about schools funding” he said.

“Not content with slashing funding for public education, the Victorian Government doesn’t want parents, teachers and principals lobbying for greater federal funding.”

Emails to the federal funding review and to Mr Garrett will be sent from the campaign website, www.forourfuture.org.au