SA teachers fight cuts

SA teachers fight cuts

By Adam Hanieh

ADELAIDE — The South Australian Institute of Teachers has promised to continue industrial action over the state government's $22 million education cuts.

Teachers in South Australian schools have placed work bans until the end of the year. These bans include:

• not implementing a new computer system unless provided with adequate staff and resources;

• not attending more than one meeting a week;

• refusing to participate in curriculum development and professional matters associated with a new national curriculum;

• using non-instruction time purely for marking and preparation.

South Australian schools are being dramatically affected by state government cutbacks. More than 40 schools have been targeted for closure and many teachers will lose their jobs.

One of the most damaging of the government's decisions is to cut the school card student benefits scheme. School card provides free public transport and school fee subsidies.

The number of students receiving school card benefits has grown from 50,000 to 100,000 in the last five years. Around 20,000 students will be denied access to it under the government's plans. It is estimated that abolishing school card will add an extra $200/year cost to a family with one child.

From GLW issue 164