15 January 2003
Education - Top Election Priority
PARTIES URGED TO MAKE EDUCATION A TOP PRIORITY
The Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens' Associations (QCPCA), has urged all political parties to commit to increased education funding.
Commenting on Monday?s election announcement, QCPCA State President Wanda Lambert said all parties needed to place the ongoing reform of education as a top priority during the coming election.
"QCPCA, through P&C Associations in schools, represents the interests of state school students and their parents, throughout Queensland", Ms Lambert said.
'Our association is calling for a "bigger education bucket overall", with a strong focus on facilities resourcing and maintenance."
'We want Education Queensland to ensure that all schools can obtain true value for money on all maintenance and building expenditure."
Ms Lambert said that the success of any new initiatives and reforms is always dependent on adequate and specifically-allocated funding, not merely recycled from somewhere else.
'Robbing Peter to pay Paul is simply not good enough for our students and schools", Ms Lambert said.
Some areas QCPCA believes are top priority in terms of funding are:
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Continuing the rollout of Education & Training Reforms (ETRF) currently being implemented around the state;
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Catering adequately for the education needs of Students with Disabilities by ensuring that staff and parents are given the resources necessary to support special needs students appropriately; and
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Meeting the needs of students in rural and remote areas.
Ms Lambert said that the geographical diversity of Queensland is a challenge for any government wanting to provide an education system that addresses the current and future needs of all students.
'Meeting that challenge does not come cheaply or without hard work and planning."
'Any government must accept this challenge and tackle it head on, with sincerity and commitment", she added.
'QCPCA advocates for a strong state education system which provides quality educational opportunities for students throughout the state.'
"We would hope that all politicians join us in achieving this goal. "Our association believes that the support and improvement of state schools should be the first priority of any government in power", Ms Lambert said.
CPCA asks voters to also place education as their top priority in the lead up to election 2004.
Ms Lambert encouraged parents to approach their local candidate with their areas of concern for education and to seek their answers and their commitment to them and their children.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR INTERVIEW PLEASE CONTACT:
MS WANDA LAMBERT
STATE PRESIDENT, QCPCA
0417 790 328
