Shadow Education Minister Peter Rundle has condemned the McGowan Labor Government for failing to invest in the health and wellbeing of WA’s education system.
In Parliament today, Mr Rundle pointed to a lack of investment into the State’s public school system forcing teachers into early retirement and leaving children without educational support.
“This Government has been failing our students, teachers, principals and education assistants for the past six years, which is evident through the mass exodus of experienced staff,” Mr Rundle said.
“Despite what the Education Minister thinks, sending under-qualified teachers into classrooms to fill the staffing void is not a permanent solution to the education crisis.
Mr Rundle said the pressures facing educational staff were further exacerbated by a lack of housing, particularly in the regions.
“The wider issues impacting education staff in our regions, particularly the lack of housing in many regions, acts as a further barrier to employment in some areas,” he said.
“There is no doubt that lack of available housing for education staff is negatively impacting education outcomes for regional students.”
“It’s telling when you have the State School Teachers’ Union conducting their own independent review of the public education system to identify and try to fix the problems.
Mr Rundle said he hoped to see more investment in regional schools by the State Government to make up for the pitiful education spend over the past six years.”
“Esperance Senior High School is one example of a regional school that is in desperate need of renovations, with many of the buildings dating back to the 1960’s,” Mr Rundle said.
“It is unbelievable to think the McGowan Labor Government has ignored this school’s dire needs for infrastructure upgrades. The local community is tired of hearing excuses from the Premier and his Education Minister – they deserve to see action to get this school up to scratch.
