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Latrobe Valley Catholic Schools To Benefit From Coalition Policies Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe and Shadow Minister for Education Martin Dixon recently visited Latrobe Valley schools for a discussion with Principals on a number of Catholic education concerns. By Russell Northe - 19th October 2010 - Back to News Mr Dixon joined Mr Northe to meet with representatives from a number of Catholic Schools across the Latrobe Valley to discuss a range of educational matters and to view local facilities.
Mr Northe said the day was productive, and was glad that Latrobe Valley schools were taking an interest in the future of their students.
Discussions initially centred on Catholic School funding policy, after a number of concerned parents and teachers contacted Mr Northe’s office asking for a committed policy position.
"As indicated in our 2008 policy, the Coalition will give Catholic schools a better deal to enable the Catholic education sector to help meet future challenges.
"After eight years of Labor, funding to Catholic schools as a percentage of income has fallen to historic lows, with Victorian now providing the least funding per Catholic student of any state."
Mr Northe said the meetings were a good chance to talk with school Principals about what they could expect to gain from a Coalition Government, and how these positive changes would affect staff, students and parents.
"Under the Coalitions $390 million "Restoring the Balance" package, Catholic Schools will finally receive the support they have long desired and deserved."
This package would enable Catholic Schools to do the following:
• provide funding so teachers are better remunerated;
• increase funding for students with a disability;
• Improve internet access and undertake maintenance and capital work projects.
Mr Northe said a number of other topics were also broached at the meetings, which are pertinent for schools across the Latrobe Valley, including school retention rates in Gippsland, maintenance issues, and the Building the Education Revolution program.
"This was a good opportunity to sit down and have an open and honest discussion about what schools need with the Shadow Minister who himself is a former Catholic School principal.
"I also want to commend our local teachers who do a wonderful job in providing such a vital service to our children during their learning years."
"Our teachers hold our children’s future in their hands, and it is imperative that they have full Government support to do their job well, and keep them in the sector as long as possible.
"I’m very pleased that we were able to have these open discussions with our teachers, and I thank them for giving me and Mr Dixon the opportunity." Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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