Labor’s federal budget fails to give regional education the attention it deserves.
“That’s the message loud and clear from education stakeholders who are disappointed that nothing is being done to address the inequity in education in remote, rural and regional Australia,” the Coalition’s Regional Education spokesperson, Senator Fiona Nash, said.
“There is nothing to help attract and retain quality teachers to country schools. This is one of the biggest concerns that is consistently raised with me.
“There’s also a view that by addressing the teacher shortage in schools and TAFEs, there would be more teachers to train and skill up young people for the workforce. Employing young Australians in regional areas is preferable to migration.”
Senator Nash agrees with regional stakeholders that there is scant detail on other education measures in the budget. There is little explanation on how they will work or benefit regional students.
“The same goes for the $500 million commitment for regional universities, funded from the Education Investment Fund (EIF). It lacks detail on its objectives except to say it will be used for infrastructure.
“Keep in mind too that the bearers of this bucket of money - the Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott - rejected my move to use the EIF to give regional students fair access to independent youth allowance. The promise of building lecture rooms is all very good, but there’ll be empty seats as so many regional students cannot afford university without independent youth allowance.”
Senator Nash said halving the discount for tertiary students who pay their HECS upfront is also unfair. Students shouldn’t be penalised for paying their fees early and it’s another cost burden when they’re struggling to make ends meet especially those who have to relocate.
Other disappointments include:
Computers in schools – has blown out $200m bringing the total blow-out to over $1.4 billion and the total cost of the program to $2.4 billion. There have also been bungled deliveries, computers in boxes for months, parents being charged additional costs, and waste and mismanagement.
Trade Training Centres - funding will be deferred til 2015/16 and 2016/17 saving the government $102.8 million. After three and a half years only 70 trades training centres are operational out of the promised 2,650, and now a freeze will mean further delays. This freeze will impact the National Trade Cadetship program, which is dependent on students having access to Trades Training Centres.
“Regional students and their families want fair and equitable access to education and this budget is way off the mark,” Senator Nash said.
“The Coalition will continue working with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive national regional education strategy that makes a difference.”
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