Volunteers will be doorknocking throughout the Page electorate on 26 June as part of the grassroots campaign against proposed cuts to Gonski funding.
AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said this election was crucial for the future of education, and Gonski Week would step up the campaign to properly resource Australian schools
‘We face a stark choice at this election – between cutting funding to our schools and investing in our students’ future,’ Ms Haythorpe said.
‘Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to cut Gonski funding after 2017 will fail our kids by not giving them the education they need for their future.
‘Gonski funding is already lifting results in schools through smaller classes, more one-to-one support, and extra literacy and numeracy programs.
‘We know that schools in Page will be $24 million worse off under Malcolm Turnbull’s plan in 2018 and 2019 alone.
‘Why does Malcolm Turnbull want to stop Gonski when we know it is making a difference to students, especially those in regional Australia?
‘Volunteers will be out doorknocking in key seats across Australia including Page on June 26th as part of the Gonski campaign’s final doorknock before the Federal election.
‘They will be telling voters about the success of Gonski programs in local schools and warning of the consequences if Malcolm Turnbull succeeds in cutting Gonski funding after 2017.
The Doorknock is the latest event in the grassroots Gonski campaign, the AEU’s largest ever, which has seen local co-ordinators working in target seats since last July and thousands of volunteers mobilised to support Gonski.
Events will be held through the week, involving local educators, to highlight what Gonski funding has achieved and what schools will be able to do with the full six years of increased resources.
‘Gonski funding is already working on the ground to lift results and provide opportunities for students,’ Ms Haythorpe said.
‘All schools will benefit from Gonski funding but the majority of extra resources go to schools which educate the most disadvantaged students.
‘Malcolm Turnbull has found money for tax cuts for high income earners and companies, yet is unable to find money to properly fund our schools.
‘He is letting down families who want their children to get the best education possible.’
They’d better be-goneski from my front door.
We have this concept that every problem can be solve by throwing money at it. Benchmarking with countries such as Singapore indicate that money may not be the issue.
The other concern is that we’ll have to borrow money to pay for this – inevitably leaving the debt problem with the kids we are endeavouring to help. Inevitably, they’ll resent the debt we are leaving them.