Rockliff abandons community concerns – refuses to act in the best interests of Tasmanian kids
Parents still confused about when to send their kids to school
Hodgman Government fails the consultation test
The Hodgman Liberal Government and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff have ignored widespread community concerns about sending toddlers into school yards by using its overhaul of the Education Act to push misguided reforms.
Shadow Education Minister Michelle O’Byrne said by lowering the starting age for Tasmanian children to four-and-a-half years for prep and three-and-a-half for kindergarten, the government had done little more than spread confusion through school communities.
“Instead of pushing ahead with their changes through the Parliament today, the government should have – at the very least – admitted they have gotten it wrong and started again,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“And the right place to start would have been by at least attempting to consult with school communities and education experts on what changes, if any, are necessary.
“There has not been adequate consultation.
“There has not been adequate engagement with schools or parents or teachers and the wider community.
“Now Tasmania will be faced with a situation where parents face unnecessary confusion about when to send their kids to kinder or school.
“Of course there needs to be a greater investment in early-years learning but the government has simply gotten it wrong by directing resources to the wrong area.
“The Hodgman Liberal Government and Mr Rockliff did not even consider the value of increasing investment into Child and Family Centres, which play a key and important role in helping prepare children for school.
“By contrast, Labor has committed to invest $7 million over four years in two new Child and Family Centres.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP Shadow Education Minister
