Greens launch TAFE policy
Greens launch TAFE policy: The cure for an abused and neglected system
Greens NSW Upper House candidate and education spokesperson John Kaye today met with TAFE students and teachers to launch his party’s $1.6 billion ‘Save TAFE’ package.
Speaking outside Ultimo TAFE, Dr Kaye said: “State and Federal governments have slashed their commitment to TAFE. Between 1998 and 2005, expenditure on TAFE fell by 22% per student hour in real terms.
“Today we heard about the disastrous consequences for TAFE teachers and students. Courses have been shortened and cut, workloads have become unreasonable and qualified applicants are being turned away. The spectacular growth in fees and charges is having a devastating impact on students from low income backgrounds. Student poverty is becoming a real problem.
“The Carr/Iemma Government has abandoned TAFE. They have reduced their per student hour funding and allowed permanent teaching positions to disappear.
“Today I announce The Greens package that promises $400 million more money each year to restore TAFE. We would boost per student funding and provide new money to allow student numbers to grow. We would address student poverty with financial assistance to those who really doing it tough.
“TAFE is not seen as the most glamorous end of education, and so it receives the least attention from politicians who are focused on headlines and marginal seats.
“Yet investment in TAFE is the best cure for the skills shortage. It is central to building a strong economy. And it is offers real opportunities for many young people to become part of the economic, political and cultural life of this nation.
“Spending on TAFE is a great investment in the future. The Allen Consulting Group estimates that for each $1 invested in TAFE today, the economy reaps a $6.40 benefit over 20 years. The total benefit of four years of the Greens package would be more than $10.2 billion.
“The Greens package directly challenges Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam to make real commitments to the future of TAFE.
“Whoever forms government can either continue the neglect or they can make real progress on positioning the NSW economy to take up the challenges of the next 20 years,” Dr Kaye said.
