UNIONS, politicians, teachers and community groups have today descended on Parliament House, urging the state government to rule out any further cuts to school funding.
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Australian Education Union state secretary Terry Polglase said schools had already been left stretched by 266 job losses this financial year.
Mr Polglase insisted the government must immediately rule out any cuts to education staff or resources in its May budget.
He argued recent cuts had driven up class sizes and forced the closure of vital numeracy and literacy programs.
Mr Polglase said the state's 160 schools had lost up to two teachers each, with its eight colleges losing as many as four.
''We want to see something in it (the state budget) which actually says there will be no further cuts to staffing, at any level, in any division, and the resources to schools will be increased,'' he said.
Mr Polglase said Premier Will Hodgman must also ensure Gonski funding is delivered in full, and used as additional funding for schools.
''Let there be no confusion, Gonski is additional funding meant for students who most need extra support,'' he said.
''It is not there to make up the difference for Mr Hodgman’s savage cuts to education.''
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said there would be no additional savings measures in the upcoming budget.
''I can confirm that is this government’s firm position,'' he said.
''What Labor and the unions are doing today is simply scaremongering.''
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