A 100 days and still going
Teachers, students, community members attended a picnic day and rally outside Seaforth TAFE College on Saturday, March 25. They marked the 100th day of a continuing picket line in protest against the closure of Seaforth TAFE College. "The community intends to keep the picket going until Seaforth TAFE is reopened", said Ms Jennifer Leete, NSW Teachers' Federation Deputy President. "You can expect further action from the community after Parliament reopens on April 4, 2000." A Labor Council led delegation met with the Minister for Education, John Aquilina, on March 3 to try and convince him once again to reopen Seaforth TAFE. "While well resourced science laboratories and computer rooms remain unused at Seaforth TAFE, students are being asked to walk 2kms from Brookvale TAFE to Freshwater High School to use classrooms, laboratories and equipment there", said Ms Leete. While for many a 2km walk would seem like a much needed exercise for young people, the reality is that Seaforth TAFE used to cater for a number of disabled students. There is no special access provision for them at Brookvale TAFE where Seaforth TAFE students had been relocated. They had been fully catered for at Seaforth TAFE. Disabled students are not the only ones disadvantaged by the closure of Seaforth TAFE. "While there are waiting lists of students for information technology courses at Brookvale TAFE there are three fully resourced computer rooms standing vacant at Seaforth TAFE", explained Ms Leete. The Teachers' Federation has requested that the NSW Labor Council seek a further meeting with the Minister of Education and the Premier in order that this matter can be resolved. So far the Minister's response had been inadequate. "The Minister should comply with the recommendations of the parliamentary Committee and reopen Seaforth TAFE", concluded Ms Leete. Meanwhile, the picket continues. People are most welcome to join the picket at Seaforth on the corner of Sydney and Frenchs Forest Road. If you would like to put your name on a roster, contact Lolita Barratt on 0418 233 416. For more information visit the website: http://www.save-seaforth.org