NSW Teachers Federation vice president Henry Rajendra is visiting schools and teachers in Bathurst and Orange to remind them about funding cuts to public schools in the Central West.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Rajendra, who began his three-day visit at Carenne School in Bathurst, said he wants to send a strong message to the people in the region that public schools funding should be a critical issue in the state and federal elections.
"At the federal level, [Prime Minister] Scott Morrison has made it very clear that public schooling and its funding is not a priority. That is a major concern of all public schools committees across the state," Mr Rajendra said.
"We are doing our utmost that everyone is aware that Scott Morrison is showing no interest or prioritising public education and public schooling in the Central West.
"Alternatively, the Labor Party has announced $14 billion extra in funding for schools over the next 10 years, which we welcome."
Read more:
He said he wants to make sure the community is aware of that funding policy.
Mr Rajendra visited Orange High School and also met with teachers from the Orange Teachers Association on Monday.
On Tuesday, he is planning to visit Bathurst Public School, Portland Central School and teachers from the Kandos Teachers Association.
On Wednesday, Mr Rajendra will visit Rylstone Public School and Spring Hill Public School.
"We are travelling with the van from school to school in the area," he said.
Read more:
The NSW Teachers Federation said its 10 campaign vans are on the road around Australia to highlight the need to restore need-based funding to public schools.
"The Morrison government must reverse the $14 billion it has cut from funding for public schools like those in the Central West of NSW," the NSW Teachers Federation said.
"New figures have revealed that the Morrison government's school funding legislation will actually leave 99 per cent of public schools below the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2023.
"In fact, less than half of all public schools will even reach 95 per cent of the SRS by this date. By contrast, nearly 99 per cent of private schools in Australia will be funded at, or in excess of, the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2023."
Read more:
It said if Labor forms government after the next federal election, Carenne will get an additional $390,000 in funding over the next three years.
Orange High School will get an additional $1,310,000; Bathurst Public School $610,000; Portland Central School $220,000; Rylstone Public School $110,000; and Spring Hill Public School $60,000, according to the NSW Teachers Federation.