Budget cuts of principal concern

A number of questions were sent out to principals by the Australian Education Union regarding the Hodgman government’s state budget.

A majority of principal responses said that the budget would not help improve student outcomes and in fact would make it difficult for teachers to assist children’s learning.

This is despite every school in Tasmania receiving a five per cent funding increase through Gonski funding.

Australian Education Union president Terry Polglase said some principals said that they would be spending the extra funding on replacement Pathway Planners and IT support.

He said morale in schools was dropping.

‘‘There is an urgent need for the government to engage the profession and consult with principals over its policies and its direction,’’ Mr Polglase said.

‘‘Everyone knows that if we can lift education we can lift Tasmania, but a team approach is needed.’’

All of the principal responses to the Pathway Planners were against the cuts, and dubious about the My Education replacement.

‘‘Some teachers will have the skills, understandings and ability to take it on and add it to their already full workload and achieve results, some will try but not be able to manage, some will not try,’’ wrote one principal.

‘‘When the PP was unavailable for this school our experience was that it was too big a task for the teachers,’’ wrote another.

Tasmanian Association for State Schools Organisation Jenny Eddington said the lack of prior consultation regarding Pathway Planning changes had resulted in uncertainty in schools.

‘‘With the new arrangements realistically not in place until 2017 what interim plans are in place to ensure the next two year groups of grade 10 students are fully supported?’’ she asked.

‘‘It has been positive to see students voicing their concerns in this discussion.’’