Libs cuts undermining outcomes for students

Axing pathway planners from the education system grossly undermines efforts to improve outcomes for students, including year 11-12 retention rates, Shadow Education Minister Michelle O’Byrne said today.

“Last Thursday Peter Gutwein put the entire pathway planning structure and the people who staff it in grave jeopardy,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“His budget told them the approach to pathway planning would be ‘redesigned’.

“It appears that ‘redesign’ in fact means scrapping the program, in line with a $148 million cut to education.”

Ms O’Byrne, Labor Leader Bryan Green and Member for Franklin Lara Giddings met with a pathway planner and concerned members of the Huonville school and business community today.

“To axe about 50 professional pathway planners shows the scant regard Jeremy Rockliff has for achieving anything other than the Liberals’ poorly thought out election slogans for our schools,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“Dismantling the pathway planning set up undermines efforts to increase retention rates.

“Why even bother to have a policy for years 11-12 if you intend to scrap the pathway planning program that sets it up for success?

“The Liberals were already grossly inflating the progress they’re making on extending Tasmanian high schools to year 11 and 12.

“Every school that was hand-picked for the Liberal Party’s policy already provide year 11 and 12 courses.

“Labor supports expanding educational choice is regional schools but the Liberals have to be realistic about what they’re proposing.

“Axing pathway planners only damages the prospects of students staying in school through until year 12, and puts educational outcomes at risk.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP Shadow Education Minister