Education Minister Adrian Piccoli met with local education leaders during a visit to Armidale last week.
He began at 7am discussing issues over breakfast with 15 principals of local independent and public schools at a breakfast at TAS.
Then it was on to the Catholic Schools Office to talk with school principals and the Diocesan Director John Mula on a range of matters including Aboriginal education, the NSW Literacy and Numeracy Plan and implementing the national curriculum.
He also visited Armidale TAFE, meeting with Institute Director Paul Callaghan and senior staff and later he was at UNE for discussions with Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Barber.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay who hosted the Minister’s visit said he had raised a number of issues with him.
“One particularly burning question in our area is replacing unflued gas heaters in local schools,” he said.
“I still believe we have a strong argument for special consideration because of our cold climate and will continue to press for a change of heart from the government on this matter.”
Mr Piccoli made it clear that the government was acting on a report it had commissioned and would only replace heaters when they had reached their used by date.
Mr Torbay said it is extremely valuable for local educators to meet face to face with the Minister to discuss their concerns and also to hear from him the government’s stance on many questions.
“Armidale is a city of education excellence and we were able to raise issues across a wide spectrum from primary, secondary and tertiary perspectives,” he said.
