State Election These statements have been provided by the mainstream WA political parties at the invitation of the SSTUWA to inform members about each party’s position towards public education or their party’s education policy platform ahead of the 2021 WA state election. The content has not been altered in any form from the original text sent to the SSTUWA. The platforms are listed in alphabetical order.
State Election education platform: The Greens The Greens recognise that education is a public good that empowers people to live purposeful, satisfying lives. Universal access to a high standard of education is fundamental to Australia’s economic prosperity, social wellbeing and individual fulfilment. Schools, TAFEs and universities should be fully funded so that all Western Australians have access to a world class education, regardless of where they live and their financial or other circumstances. We will continue to advocate for WA’s education system to be funded properly so that our schools and TAFEs have quality infrastructure and are able to attract and retain outstanding teaching staff, particularly where they service disadvantaged populations. The COVID-19 pandemic presented, and continues to present, significant challenges. WA teachers are to be commended on their work which ensured students continued to have access to education and support during this difficult time. The COVID-19 experience exposed gaps and highlighted serious inequities. The Greens believe it is unacceptable that student access to education varied so wildly during the pandemic. It is essential that the WA Government invests in building the capacity of the public education system for remote learning. This will require a significant funding boost for improved ICT
infrastructure and equipment across public schools and TAFEs. The Greens believe salaries and conditions of teachers, early childhood and other educators should reflect their professionalism, training and the importance of their work. Income levels and conditions should provide secure career structures, and encourage committed and capable people to enter and remain in the teaching profession. Insecure work should be minimised at all levels of the education system. Self-determination is vital to addressing the gap between Aboriginal students and their peers. We must work towards ensuring First Nations people have a central role in education including as teachers and leaders, and in curriculum development. The Greens believe the Government should have overall responsibility for school finances and staffing in order to: maximise accountability; support a transfer system that rewards teachers in more challenging environments; and eliminate harmful competition between schools. Teachers and students have a right to a safe working and learning environment. There must be greater investment in specialised support for students at educational risk, including those with challenging behaviours. Hon Alison Xamon Greens spokesperson for education has been a long-term advocate for greater investment in mental health services for children and
Hon Alison Xamon MLC, Member for North Metropolitan and Greens (WA) Spokesperson for Education young people, and continues to urge the Government to fix gaps between the mental health and education systems so that students receive seamless support. This must also extend to TAFE students. Chronic underfunding for disability support in schools impacts on individual students, their peers and teaching staff. The State and Federal Governments both have a responsibility to address this gap. WA requires a training system that meets students’ needs and employer demand, and is accessible to everyone. The Greens support measures that provide fee-free TAFE courses and revitalise the public TAFE system. For further information on the Greens’ approach to education I encourage SSTUWA members to view our education policy at bit.ly/3jxt3cB and election initiative at bit.ly/2OkCu3H Western Teacher February 2021
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