The State School Teachers’ Union (SSTUWA) has welcomed the
McGowan Government’s reduction in TAFE fees but has warned more needs to be
done.
The union acknowledges today’s announcement as an
encouraging first step but urges the state government to cut more fees in order
to restore TAFE following years of sustained attacks by state and federal
coalition governments.
SSTUWA President Pat Byrne said slashing a limited number of
TAFE fees is a welcome first step but it is not enough.
“Much more needs to be done after years of outright
hostility to TAFE from coalition governments at both a state and federal
level,” Ms Byrne said.
“The former Barnett Government came close to destroying TAFE
with massive increases in course fees, endless reorganisations of TAFE and
imposition of staggering levels of red tape, which have left lecturers and
staff facing huge workloads and having to spend less time actually educating
students.
“Not to mention the thousands of potential TAFE students who
have not been able to go to TAFE because they simply cannot afford it.
“We welcome this step by the McGowan Government to address
the issues TAFE faces, and we hope the sector will now face an influx of new
students.
“The state government needs to ensure the workforce is able
to cope and must address the workload issues created by the Barnett
Government’s endless cuts, many of which were overseen by current WA Liberal Leader
Liza Harvey in her role as Minister for Training.
“Sadly, the legacy of the Barnett Government for education was
terrible. A litany of cuts and added workload which has left schools and TAFE
struggling.
“We now need the McGowan Government to continue what it has
started and create a legacy of its own. One that rebuilds a fully funded,
properly staffed and resourced public education centre at both the school and
TAFE level.
“No leader goes into the history books for creating surpluses,
they get remembered for having a positive and lasting impact on the community
around them.
“Recent actions around safety in schools, increased
bandwidth for schools, additional finance for school maintenance and now TAFE
fees are encouraging moves from the McGowan Government.
“The SSTUWA stands ready to help develop policies which will
further enhance the quality of public education.
“Given the clear hostility at both a state and federal level
from the Coalition to state education we hope the McGowan Government builds on
the work so far and makes a clear commitment to fully funded public education,”
SSTUWA President Pat Byrne said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Munro, CGM Communications, 0418 962 542
