Save Seaforth T.A.F.E.

A spirited rally took place in front of the Department of Education on 
Friday, February 11, to protest against the closure of the Seaforth TAFE, 
on the northern shores of Sydney.

A crowd of about 100 people listened to passionate speeches in defence of 
public education, in general, and to save Seaforth TAFE in particular.

It was pointed out that Seaforth TAFE is a "second chance perhaps the only 
chance" for young people to get an education in an area with a very high 
suicide rate.

The closure of Seaforth TAFE was announced on August 19, 1999, with the 
Minister's approval.

NSW Teachers' Federation members, students, staff, community members and 
the local member for Manly, Mr David Barr joined forces to form the "Save 
Seaforth" committee.

The committee was successful in lobbying politicians — an Upper House 
inquiry reported in December 1999 recommending, among other things, that 
"the decision to close Seaforth TAFE in December 1999 not be implemented"; 
and that "during 2000 the Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE review its 
decision to close Seaforth TAFE, in light of the findings of this report, 
and that the review include extensive community consultation".

Despite these recommendations, Seaforth TAFE college was closed on December 
17, 1999.

Since that time a 24-hour picket and peaceful assembly has been put in 
place outside the Seaforth college.

A successful family picnic and BBQ was organised on January 10 with over 
100 people attending.

A rally on January 14, 2000, outside the Minister's office to present a 
petition opposing the closure of Seaforth TAFE was held. Well over 2,000 
signatures had been collected — now, a month later, the figure is over 
5,000. 

The NSW Labour Council promised assistance saying that "nothing will go in 
and nothing will go out" of the college.  

The Seaforth TAFE students and courses have been transferred to Brookvale 
TAFE — but according to teachers Brookvale cannot provide adequate 
facilities and courses for the Seaforth students.

As Ms Jennifer Leete, Deputy President of NSWTF points out, "While well 
resourced science laboratories and computer rooms remain unused at 
Seaforth, TAFE students are being asked to walk 2km from Brookvale TAFE to 
Freshwater High School to use classrooms, laboratories and equipment 
there".

Disabled students who were fully catered for at Seaforth have no special 
access provision at Brookvale TAFE. Three fully resourced computer rooms 
stand vacant at Seaforth TAFE while there are waiting lists of students for 
information technology courses at Brookvale TAFE.

While developers are circling around a lucrative piece of public property -
- Seaforth TAFE, teachers, students and the community are firmly committed 
to defending public education.

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See the Save Seaforth TAFE website: http://www.save-seaforth.org