"Smart State" comes fifth

Queensland teachers have called for a $250 million state school funding 
increase in real terms over three years after it was revealed that spending 
on education by the Beattie Labor Government had stagnated. A Queensland 
Teachers' Union (QTU) study of the State Government's funding found that 
spending on state schools has stood still in real terms for two years.

Funding since the 1999/2000 state budget has barely kept pace with 
inflation and enrolment increases. The study found that Queensland ranks a 
lowly fifth out of eight Australian states and territories on per capita 
funding of state schools.

QTU President Julie-Ann McCullough said the fact state school spending was 
stagnant made a mockery of the Beattie Government's supposed commitment to 
the "Smart State". The QTU analysis is included in the union's submission 
to the 2002/2003 state budget.

The submission also reveals average primary school classes were higher in 
2001 than in 1986, and that two-thirds of high schools surveyed by the QTU 
had oversized classes.

Ms McCullough said teachers would embark on a lobbying, publicity and 
letter-writing campaign aimed at securing a funding boost. "The Beattie 
Government has been hiding behind dodgy and deceptive figures and overblown 
hype when it comes to commitment to state schools", she said.

"It has made some positive announcements about preschools and information 
technology, but behind the talk there's currently not enough action."

The QTU campaign will target "priority areas", including:

* 1400 extra teachers to reduce class sizes. This increase should be above 
those needed for enrolment growth and above the 800 already secured by the 
QTU through enterprise bargaining;

* 110 extra teachers for behaviour management and five alternative 
education sites;

* 300 information technology curriculum coordinator positions and improved 
access for teachers to computers and laptops.

"It's time for the Beattie Government to deliver on its promise to make 
education a priority", said Ms McCullough. "State schools have been let 
down by the Federal Government and we can't afford for the State Government 
to mark time."