It is time for Labor to stop playing politics and realise that there is strong support from education stakeholders for the new Education Act, including from their own former colleagues.
I was pleased to be joined this morning by representatives of Catholic Education, including the Chair of the Tasmanian Catholic Education Council Michael Polley who supports the lowering of the school starting age.
Mr Polley said he enthusiastically supports the new Education Act, and rejects a statement made by Labor yesterday.
“There was a statement made that was pretty unbelievable, that it is not possible to have play based education in prep, that’s nonsense its happening now, it is part of the curriculum.” *
Other supporters of the new Education Act include the Children's Commissioner, the Tasmanian Principals Association, the Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment, the Smith Family, and Independent Schools, well respected Tasmanian Educator, Elizabeth Daly, the TCCI and economist Saul Eslake.
Labor’s attempt to reject the Bill to maintain a status quo means they reject more teachers in our schools, more teacher assistants and support staff, infrastructure upgrades where required and more play based early education for our young people.
They obviously do not support increased funding for professional development for teachers.
The Education Act 2016 is about supporting our children and their educators to forge a change for the better for Tasmania, a future we should all want for our children.
*media doorstop 13/10/2016.
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