Archived News for Education Sector Professionals - May, 2012
The Victorian TAFE Association has called on the Federal Skills Minister, Senator Chris Evans and the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, to intervene in the Victorian TAFE sector following last week’s State Government budget cuts to the TAFE sector.
The Association claims the Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu is in breach of a commitment he signed off on the National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform on 13th April agreeing to; “implement strategies which enable public providers to operate effectively in an environment of greater competition, recognizing their important functions …” (source NPA clauses 6d and 29b)
It has called for the State Government to immediately review its budget announcement and restore the “full service provision” payments to public TAFE providers of approximately $150million per annum. This amount has been progressively paid over the last two decades for TAFE community service obligations, staff legal entitlements and student disability support payments. The Federal Government contributes over $290 million through COAG agreements per annum to Victoria.
Productivity Commission recommends reforms for schools workforce
The Productivity Commission has released a research report on the schools sector workforce which proposes a package of reforms that it maintains would give priority to improving teacher quality and reducing teacher shortages, including to ameliorate educational disadvantage.
Early Development Index 2012-2014 launched
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth Peter Garrett visited the Mount Rogers Early Links to Learning Playgroup in Canberra to launch the second data collection for the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI).
SA school amalgamations to proceed
The South Australian Government has announced that the planned school amalgamations, outlined in the 2010-11 State Budget, are to proceed.
Tasmania releases final VET review
The Tasmanian Government has received the final report on the review of the role and function of the Tasmania’s public VET providers from the commissioned consultant Virginia Simmons.
QUT and SAP to run training courses
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has signed an agreement with the world's number one business software company, SAP, to deliver certified training courses for its products.
Victoria announces school capital works
The Victorian Government has announced a $200 million school capital projects spending package as part of the state’s 2012-13 budget.