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.