Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Education spokesperson
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff has offered no good explanation for his decision not to renew Department of Education Secretary, Mr Colin Pettit's contract next year.
Premier Hodgman cited a 'new direction’ as the reason for Mr Pettit's exit from the top job, despite his Minister acknowledging in Question Time today that Mr Pettit had ably overseen important reforms to education.
It is concerning that the Department restructure is happening in the middle of the school year, especially after the Liberal Government has already created turmoil by slashing 251 DoE jobs.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Jeremy Rockliff refused to divulge the reasons Mr Pettit was not being offered a renewal of his contract, but admitted Mr Pettit had been respected and revered in the Department of Education and in our schools.
It is a sad day for public education in Tasmania.