AEU
This year’s Gonski
Week will highlight the stark choice on education facing voters in WA and the
damage Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts to Gonski will do to schools and students.
AEU Federal
President Correna Haythorpe said this election was crucial for the future of
education, and Gonski Week would step up the campaign to properly resource
Australian schools
“We face a stark
choice at this election – between cutting funding to our schools and investing
in our students’ future,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“Malcolm Turnbull’s
plan to cut Gonski funding after 2017 will fail our kids by not giving them the
education they need for their future.
“Gonski funding is
already lifting results in schools through smaller classes, more one-to-one
support, and extra literacy and numeracy programs.
“We know that schools
in WA will be $330 million worse off under Malcolm Turnbull’s plan in 2018 and
2019 alone.
“Why does Malcolm
Turnbull want to stop it when we know it is making a difference to students?
“During Gonski Week, volunteers were out
doorknocking in key seats across Australia including WA on 19 June as part of
the Gonski campaign’s final doorknock before the Federal election.
“They told voters
about the success of Gonski programs in local schools and warning of the
consequences if Malcolm Turnbull succeeds in cutting Gonski funding after 2017.
The Doorknock is
the latest event in the grassroots Gonski campaign, the AEU’s largest ever,
which has seen local co-ordinators working in target seats since last July and
thousands of volunteers mobilised to support Gonski.
Events will be held
through the week, involving local educators, to highlight what Gonski funding has
achieved and what schools will be able to do with the full six years of
increased resources.
“Gonski funding is
already working on the ground to lift results and provide opportunities for
students,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“All schools will
benefit from Gonski funding but the majority of extra resources go to schools
which educate the most disadvantaged students.
“Malcolm Turnbull
has found money for tax cuts for high income earners and companies, yet is
unable to find money to properly fund our schools.
“He is letting down families who want their children to get the best education possible."
