Over 300 Victorian teachers to go under Baillieu budget
10 May 2011
The Baillieu Government has already dropped its promise to not reduce frontline services, cutting up to 310 teaching staff from the Victorian public education system in their first budget.
AEU branch president Mary Bluett has expressed disbelief at the decision by the Baillieu Government to cut funding and staff for students who need it most, while increasing funding to independent schools.
"The Government's budget fails those most in need, cutting numeracy and literacy coaches, Koorie education specialists and Ultranet coaches.
"It's outrageous that funding for 45 numeracy and literacy coaches and 15 specialists with Koorie children will expire by the end of this year, leaving our most disadvantaged students without the support they need.
"Given the importance of ensuring basic literacy and numeracy standards, it is impossible to understand why the Baillieu Government would cut these much-needed teaching positions.
"It is also inconceivable that after investing $80 million into Ultranet, a program which will aid the development of best educational practice across the state, the Government is now cutting the coaches needed to show education professionals how to use it.
"These cuts, in addition to the $481 million in cuts to be made to the education budget over the next four years, come at the same time the Government is increasing investment in independent schools by $240 million," Bluett said.
