Cuts to teacher numbers since the Liberal government took the axe to education should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind this week as the 2016 school year begins.
After slashing hundreds of positions from the Department last year, including over 150 teachers, it is difficult to believe Minister Rockliff when he announces education is “a major focus for the government this year”.
While regional students may benefit, extensions to year 11 and 12 in suburban high schools are unlikely to reap rewards. It's much more likely to hurt course diversity and the thriving college culture in our metropolitan areas.
Gonski funding remains a big issue with Minister Rockliff has consistently confirmed that Tasmanian schools will see their full funding as promised. But that funding still appears to be as elusive as it always has.
Last year in Launceston there were teachers propping up education programs from of their own pockets, because a majority of their students had special needs and they'd had their funding slashed.
The Liberals have been in government for almost two years with no real educational outcomes.
Minister Rockliff's had more than long enough to prove education is really a major government focus.
