“This is our chance to get a better deal” : A snapshot of public education issues facing Victoria in 2010
By kristend
-
Period: to
Several state and federal education policies make news in an election year - some for all the wrong reasons.
-
My School website causes uproar
Federal news: Launched in January, the My School website provokes outrage among education experts and public commentators for allowing parents to see the results of national literacy and numeracy testing (NAPLAN) at their child's school. (Photo: Australia Parliament House, Canberra. Source: flickr.com.) -
Ultranet portal goes live in Victorian schools
State news: After $77 million of taxpayer funds went towards its development, the online portal Ultranet goes live in Victorian public schools. The Victorian Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike claims Ultranet will revolutionise the learning methods of students. (Photo: Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne. Source: commons.wikimedia.org.) -
Federal review of school funding announced
Federal news: Kevin Rudd's Labor government announces a review of school funding arrangements. The Public Education For Our Future campaign urges the community to have their say - “this is our chance to get a better deal for the millions of students and families who rely on our public schools”. (Photo: Australia Parliament House, Canberra. Source: flickr.com.) -
State Budgets $271 million drives education forward
State news: In a media release, Bronwyn Pike says the
2010 State Budget school building and equipment boost of $271.3 million means that 553 projects will be funded in this term of government – surpassing the original commitment of 500 schools. (Photo: Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne. Source: commons.wikimedia.org.) -
Fix the Education Bridge campaign launch
Federal news: The three-year Fix the Education Bridge campaign is launched by an alliance of organisations committed to highlighting underfunding in public secondary schools. (Photo: Australia Parliament House, Canberra. Source: flickr.com.) -
Education Revolution still unpopular
Federal news: Widespread disillusionment continues to taint the Building the Education Revolution program, launched by Rudd's Labor Government in February 2009. Prime Minister Julia Gillard responds to criticism by highlighting the economic benefits of the scheme. (Photo: Australia Parliament House, Canberra. Source: flickr.com.) -
Ultranet system crashes, labelled a “fiasco”
State news: The Herald Sun reports that Victoria's $81 million Ultranet system crashed after half a million students were given the day off so teachers could learn how to use the network. “What a fiasco, waste of resources, expertise and money,” one teacher was reported as saying. “Our state education system is a joke.” -
Teach Next set to slash teaching shortages in 2012
Federal news: The Herald Sun reports on a $16 million scheme slated for 2012 called Teach Next, a federal government initiative aimed at addressing teacher shortages by offering incentives to industry professionals to teach in classrooms. (Photo: Australia Parliament House, Canberra. Source: flickr.com.) -
Expert says “public schooling vision not worth voting for”
Federal news: Richard Teese of the University of Melbourne tells The Age, “The big parties’ vision of public schooling as a broken sector is not worth voting for”. (Photo: Australia Parliament House, Canberra. Source: flickr.com.) -
Principals slam Brumby govt in State of Our Schools survey
State news: The findings of the Australian Education Union’s annual State of Our Schools survey reveals that Victorian principals believe the state government has failed to support students with disabilities. (Photo: Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne. Source: commons.wikimedia.org.) -
Brumby govt urged not to overlook private school students
State news: Less than two months before the November 27 state election, private schools accuse the Brumby government of being preoccupied with public schools and overlooking students in need of support in the non-government system. (Photo: Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne. Source: commons.wikimedia.org.) -
Victoria decides
State news: November 27 is the date of the Victorian election - the major parties have told the public that education is their number one priority. President of the Australian Education Union (Victorian Branch) Mary Bluett says the election campaign will test this pledge. (Photo: Victoria Parliament House, Melbourne. Source: commons.wikimedia.org.)
