The Australian Education Reporter
Education tops election agenda
LABOR: LAPTOPS FOR STUDENTS
AHEAD of the March State election, the Labor Government’s newly announced five year, $70 million Laptops for Students program will see all year 10, 11 and 12 public school students own personal laptops by 2021.
A trial laptop roll-out would commence for a number of schools in the second term of 2018, with full roll out to all year 10 public school students in 2019.
The State Government has also announced upgraded broadband speeds for all public schools and preschools across the State.
Public school students with special needs would also benefit from a recently announced $57 million funding boost over the next five years.
LIBERAL: $190M FOR VET
If elected, a Marshall Liberal Government is committed to “comprehensive program” to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for all students, but especially students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
This program would include literacy coaches, phonics checks for all year one students, free dyslexia workshops for parents, professional development opportunities for teachers, and a review of how SACE exams are conducted for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
The Liberals also spruiked a $100 million investment in more than 20,000 new places in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
SA-BEST: TACKLING JOB SECURITY
Xenophon’s popular SA-BEST party said it would address the lack of job security for teachers and support staff, particularly the high levels of short term contracts and casual employment, and the increase in non-core administrative tasks.
The party also supports the transition of Year 7 students into secondary school, the reduction of centralised bureaucracy and administration, and the more effective allocation of resources to where they are needed most and will make the most difference.
“Teachers are hard-working, dedicated professionals who have had far too little support for far too long when dealing with the complex problems children often bring with them to school,” Morialta candidate, educator and SA-BEST education and learning spokesperson James Sadler said.
“Teachers are no longer just educators they are adjudicators, psychologists, enforcers, philosophers, sports coaches, career counsellors, and even nutritionists.”