The Government continues to ignore teachers’ views
Alarming level of disillusionment experienced by some of State’s best teachers
These are not “teething problems” – the system is in crisis
That Elizabeth College has now had a secret ballot on whether to join the Tasmania Tomorrow reforms demonstrates just how serious the situation is becoming.
The Premier should learn from history when attempts were made to collapse colleges into TAFE to form ‘community colleges’ and know that teachers decided to go on strike because people weren’t taking their concerns about the proposal seriously.
It is quite clear that there has been a total breakdown in change management within the Tasmanian Polytechnic. Reports from both TAFE and College staff who are now working in the Polytechnic see it as a TAFE takeover.
A key concern is that adult learners are losing out because, despite what Mr Bartlett says, adult learners are being told that the 19 – 24 year old group has preference and that if you are employed you will be pushed towards enrolling in the Tasmanian Skills Institute whether it offers the courses or not.
David Bartlett, right from the beginning, indicated that it was essential that the pastoral and collegial system that operated in Colleges be an integral element of the new Polytechnic, especially for the younger age group.
There has clearly been a total failure to manage change properly to ensure that that would happen.
It would have been wiser to just gradually move some College people into the TAFE, if the Premier insisted on trying to do this, to change that culture in the first place, rather than use the ‘big bang’ theory which is clearly in pieces around the Premier’s feet.
And Lara Giddings reference to the myriad of issues that continue to plague the new system as ‘teething problems’, indicates that Mr Bartlett has failed to brief his colleagues as to the true extent of the situation.
The Tasmanian Liberals are absolutely committed to increasing the State’s VET and training qualification levels, however, the Premier must surely come to the understating now that what he has attempted is not the way to do it and that the system will not work despite the very best efforts of teachers to try and make it work this year.
I am absolutely alarmed at the level of disillusionment and alienation being experience by some of the State’s best teachers who have willingly given the new system a go and who now talk of looking at rosier horizons elsewhere.
David Bartlett needs to take a breath, have a really good look at the systematic problems – not teething problems Lara – and actually listen to the teachers and students in the Polytechnic in particular, as would be done under a Liberal Government with a full review looking for the best solution for improving retention and qualification levels.
There is very strong pressure from the majority of people who are trying to provide post year ten education for teenagers in Tasmania to go back to the former College system with a stronger VET and training pathways approach whilst maintaining some of the positive features of the Academy.
Sue Napier MP Shadow Minister for Education
