SA teachers' campaign targets minister

A teachers' campaign targets minister

ADELAIDE — As the SA public school system fights to protect its future, the South Australian Institute of Teachers has called upon education minister Rob Lucas to remember his pre-election promise.

Prior to the state election in 1993, Lucas promised to treat public education as a priority, to maintain class sizes and increase funding.

Contrary to this, the Liberal government is projecting an $18 million cut to the education budget.

Teachers are demanding: no more budget cuts; that class sizes not exceed 25 in junior primary, 29 in years 3-10, 26 in years 11 and 12; that preschoolers get four lessons per week by trained teachers; that support workers remain in the public sector; that wage increases be budgeted for, not paid for by cutting into current funding.

Teachers at state schools have voted to participate in rolling stoppages over the next two weeks.

From GLW issue 180