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New Labor PM Anthony Albanese . Photo : David Gray / Getty Images
New beginnings
What the sector can expect from the new government .
After Labor formed the 31st parliament of Australia following Anthony Albanese ’ s victory in the federal election the new PM said he wanted to “ change the way that politics operates in this country ” and asserted his promise to implement universal childcare .
“ Every parent wants more for the next generation than they had . My mother dreamt of a better life for me . And I hope that my journey in life inspires Australians to reach for the stars .”
Childcare was a key spending measure in Labor ’ s campaign , with $ 5.4 billion dollars pledged to increase subsidies for 96 per cent of Australian families .
Labor has also committed $ 440 million towards better ventilation , building upgrades and mental health support in public schools .
The NSW Teachers Federation issued a statement congratulating the new prime minister .
“ The Teachers Federation is ready to work with the Albanese Government to realise its election commitment to secure the path to full funding for public schools and to start reversing the privatisation of vocational education ,” said NSWTF president Angelo Gavrielatos .
During the campaign Labor ’ s Tanya Plibersek met with the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of New South Wales to discuss funding inequities in schools .
“ We welcome the school ’ s upgrade fund , which will deliver to public schools capital funding from the commonwealth for new buildings ,” P & C president Natalie Walker said in a statement .
Labor ’ s headline education policy , a $ 147 million-dollar plan to fund teaching degrees for 5,000 high-achieving students , is expected to roll out over the next four years .
As part of its $ 1.2bn ‘ Future Made in Australia Skills Plan ’, Labor has also promised to fund 465,00 fee-free TAFE places and committed $ 482m for up to 20,000 new university placements . ■
Changing with the times
Schools to trial new hours in Term 3
Some NSW schools will operate outside of the standard 9am to 3pm day as part of a government trial to better support “ 21st-century families ”.
Starting in Term 3 , eight primary and secondary schools will partner with community organisations , sports clubs and local businesses to offer activities for students during the mornings and afternoons .
While teaching times will not be affected , the change will allow for greater flexibility for families , according to NSW premier Dominic Perrottet .
“ We know it can be a challenge for families juggling the competing demands of work and family life around standard school hours , and this pilot is about exploring options to help with that ,” he said .
Schools participating include Cawdor Public School , Matraville Soldiers ’ Settlement Public School , Orange High School , Spring Hill Public School and Tacking Point Public School .
In June last year , the school hours project was included as a key productivity measure in the NSW state budget .
One of its key aims is to reduce the growing costs of traffic congestion in Sydney , which the NSW Productivity Commission forecasts to hit $ 13.1 billion by 2031 .
The idea also grew from calls to address the needs of shift workers , who have been essential to the country ’ s COVID-19 response .
Schools such as Merrylands East Public have already embraced non-traditional schooling hours , with the public school operating between 8 am and 1:30 pm .
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said findings from the pilot will be used to determine whether the changes could benefit other communities . ■
2 | educationreview . com . au