The Government highlighted no additional provision for students with learning difficulties despite all the public education groups represented on the STLD Review Committee calling for an additional 100 STLD positions. Not one extra position was announced. There was silence on any further assistance for teachers working with integration students. If we consider the long term, it's hard to see where the resourcing is to provide better induction programs, teacher scholarships, incentives to attract and retain teachers in difficult to staff locations. All in all it's much of the same with at least a few necessary stop gap measures.
Public education deserves better.
With the Howard Government's promotion of private education and Kim Beazley's lacklustre commitments, the Federation commissioned Independent Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW is ever more timely. Make sure your school community delegates are at the Sky Channel launch of the Inquiry on June 13. And get yourself organised for the September 8 Public Education Convention at the Sydney SuperDome.