Schools across Ballarat and region stand to benefit from a massive injection of funds under the Gillard Government’s National Plan for School Improvement, Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said today.
“This is a once in a generation chance to make sure our students, classrooms and teachers are resourced properly for the future,” Ms King said.
The extra funds to each school can be used to pay for:
– More one-on-one attention;
– More modern equipment to give students a better start to their future; and
– More training and support for teachers in the classroom.
“There are two people standing in the way of our local schools getting this funding – Tony Abbott and Denis Napthine,” Ms King said.
“Dr Napthine is refusing to sign up to Labor’s plan – denying our local schools these vital resources which will help give Victorian kids a flying start to life.
“It is outrageous that he is putting the Liberals’ political interests ahead of the future of Victoria.
“The Coalition in NSW has already signed up in the best interests of NSW local students – if Dr Napthine doesn’t sign up Victorian kids will fall behind.
“If Tony Abbott is elected there is worse to come – he has already promised to rip funding out of schools.”
Ms King said that local schools would stand to lose even more if Tony Abbott and the Liberals are elected.
“The local Liberal candidate must stand up for the students, teachers and parents at all our local schools and demand that the Victorian Liberals signs up to the National Plan for School Improvement,” Ms King said.
“If Tony Abbott is elected he will cut schools funding to the bone – and our local schools will miss out on the resources they need.”