A vote for the full Gonski has the best chance of increased funding for government schools. Cash-strapped principals can retain specialist teachers, such as teacher librarians, and resource iCentres/libraries to support quality teaching and learning.
Check out the stance of Labor, Liberal and Greens at http://igiveagonski.com.au/ to see the difference in their support for education. Make your vote count for our children and students.
Hello all,
Georgia here, back at the screenface. In this lead up to the federal election and in face of the legislation for education reform currently being debated, I have been writing to those federal MPs who were on the House Inquiry committee. They are the ones who should be most aware of the value and decline of teacher librarian positions. I thought they might be interested in events in the US where a group of senators ensured that the role of qualified school librarians is a part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Considerations are currently being made for amendments and changes before it goes to the US Congress.
My question is which legislators will speak up for school libraries in the current Gonski and national education reform debate?
We have received a response from at least one parliamentarian, which shows continued support. Further debate will take place in the Senate next week re the National Plan for School Improvement, The Australian Education Bill 2012. This is an opportunity for you to remind your local federal senator about the role of quality teacher librarians in school improvement. And a chance to lobbying your state government, if they haven’t signed up to much needed public school funding (Gonski) needed for staffing and resourcing school libraries.
Dear Georgia,
RE: Action for Teacher Librarians?
Thank you for the information from the US.
I share your frustration that the debate is currently about quantity, not quality.
Much of the real debate as to why we need the National Plan for School Improvement has been lost amongst the squealing of State Premiers who do not want to sign up to a school funding system that forces them to account where the federal dollars have actually been spent.
Although the Australian Education Bill has now passed in the House the debate will be in the Senate next week where further speeches will no doubt, be made.
Yours Sincerely,
Mike Symon
Federal Labor Member for Deakin
Phone: (03) 9874 4544
Fax: (03) 9874 4644
Canberra Phone: (02) 6277 4255
Canberra Fax (02) 6277 8451
email: Mike.Symon.MP@aph.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 232, Mitcham VIC 3132
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