Ross Dale
A formal investigation into the conduct of a number of senior Department of Education managers involved in the restructure of Adult Education under Premier Bartlett’s Community Knowledge Network initiative has been commissioned.
The DoE instigated the investigation under following pressure from the TAFE Division of the Australian Education Union to examine the conduct of the managers whom the union allege have breached the State Service Code of Conduct.
The AEU has repeatedly sought to have concerns about bullying and victimisation of members addressed since the CKN restructure process commenced.
The AEU maintains that the CKN restructure process is a shambles, and the conduct of some of its managers has had a devastating effect on members working in Adult Education in particular.
“The CKN restructure has come at enormous cost – both financial and in terms of staff wellbeing, and there is little if anything of benefit to show two years after the restructure commenced” AEU TAFE Division President Ross Dale said.
“In fact, despite the premier’s assurances that Adult Education is ‘safe’, it seems that all the DoE can show for its efforts is an increase in course fees, a decline in enrolments and increased costs due to an extra layer of bureaucracy. The process has also seen a significant number of experienced staff taking sick leave, being forced to make making workers compensation claims or simply resigning”. He said.
The AEU has found evidence of a pattern of false allegations against AEU members, of serious cases of bullying, and of senior management failures to act in response to concerns about such conduct raised by the AEU.
Ross Dale has indicated that the AEU will be supporting members through the investigation, and will be monitoring the investigation process closely.
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SERIOUS QUESTIONS REMAIN OVER FUTURE OF ADULT EDUCATION
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Thursday, 16 April 2009
www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today reiterated concerns about the future of Adult Education in Tasmania, saying that there is confusion around issues such as funding, course fees, cost recovery structures, and locations for many courses.
Greens Leader and Education Spokesperson Nick McKim MP, who is speaking at tonight’s Friends of Adult Ed forum in Launceston, said that Mr Bartlett’s attempts to hose down concern over the future of Adult Education have done little to address the real issues.
“The fact is that Mr Bartlett is overseeing the end of Adult Education as a separate entity, and as it is being absorbed into the Community Knowledge Network (CKN) there are fears that some of the current funding will end up supporting positions that will not be dedicated to Adult Education in Tasmania.”
Mr McKim challenged previous statements from government that ‘courses will continue to be offered as long as they are viable’, saying that it is no guarantee of anything at all.
“Adult Education should not be judged on whether or not it is profitable, but on the outcomes it generates for our communities.”
Mr McKim also said that Mr Bartlett should clarify exactly which Adult Education Centres will be sold, and give guarantees that Adult Ed courses will be able to access Education Department facilities free or at cost.
“Adult Ed should remain just as affordable to community members today as it has been in the past, and one way to assist that would be to allow AE courses to access DoE facilities free or for nominal cost.”
“For Tasmania’s long term future we need to make sure that Adult Ed continues to strengthen our communities by encouraging people to continue to learn throughout their lives,” Mr McKim said.
