Teachers from Uralla, Guyra and Armidale joined their colleagues in Sydney and other regional centres via video link last Wednesday to launch their Putting Students First Charter.
President of the Armidale Teachers Association, Elizabeth O’Hara, said it was heartening to see the unprecedented numbers of committed and caring teachers who filled the Sydney Town Hall to over-flowing who spoke with such conviction of their determination to protect students’ learning conditions.
“We are appalled that the Government has slashed the Directorates responsible for Equity, the Arts and Curriculum Development, Regional ESL programs and support for New Scheme Teachers,” said Elizabeth O’Hara.
“Teachers have been intimidated from talking to their parent bodies about the effects already being felt in schools; today was about having the courage to begin to speak out.
“Once again the weakest, most vulnerable members of our community are being deprived of the opportunities to develop their potential.”
Jen Dive, a teacher from Uralla who is currently working with the Federation, challenged the Minister for Education’s response that it would be ‘inappropriate’ for him to sign the Charter.
“We wonder which of the clauses The Minister is reluctant to give an undertaking on: could it be that class sizes will not be increased or that funds for public education will not be reduced in real terms,” said Ms O’Hara.
“That there will be no decrease in the level of specialist teaching positions in our schools or that key decisions at the school level will be made cooperatively by principals, teachers and communities?
“We are sick of the weasel words, secrecy and obfuscation employed by the O’Farrell Government.
“A properly funded, equitable public education is the birthright of every student in this State.”
Teachers left the meeting determined to broaden the community’s understanding of the long-term, harmful effects of the Government’s cuts.
