TAFE students organise against restructuring
By Jenny Forward
HOBART — Students opposed to restructuring recommended in a recent education review have called for the resignation of the state education and vocational training minister. Minister Sue Napier's accusations that the Australian Education Union (AEU) is using students as political pawns has angered many students.
At issue is a review recommending the restructuring of TAFE and adult education because of perceived problems of low participation rates and higher unit cost of delivery compared to mainland states.
A subsequent report by the AEU highlights major weaknesses of the review. This report states that access, participation and quality will be reduced by the proposed restructuring of TAFE and adult education into five product-based institutes.
For example, it notes that low participation rates in Tasmania can be directly attributed to previous government funding cuts and TAFE restructuring. It is feared that the number of courses and locations where they will be offered will be reduced. The government's review does not address improving the low participation rate.
Students have become active in a number of ways, including pressuring the Hobart TAFE students representative council to play a more relevant role in fighting the restructuring. Some members of the SRC are calling for a new election for an SRC fully committed to students' concerns.
Students have written to many members of parliament asking for their support or querying their position on the recommendations. The AEU has played a vital role in informing students and encouraging them to write letters to the minister. A Save TAFE Action Group has been formed to look at carrying out a student strike, banner drops, petition signing at Salamanca markets and a rally.
[Jenny Forward is a Hobart TAFE student.]