Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 4 Hansard (18 April) . . Page.. 1046 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

very concerned about what is happening with elective subjects in schools. The reality is that people are getting into the position where they will not feel able to take on a subject like photography because there is a subject levy or fee which is quite high. If we are talking about public education and equal access to that education by all people in the ACT, we have to be concerned about the way this Government is going.

MR HIRD (11.09): Along with my colleague Mr Stefaniak, I thank the Public Accounts Committee for its report on the voluntary parent contribution scheme. I am sure that every member in this chamber appreciates the sensitive nature of the issues surrounding the concept of parental contributions to government schooling. Those comments made in the report which indicate some lack of clarity in conveying to parents the voluntary nature of contributions are certainly a concern. These issues will be investigated. Parents should be fully aware of the voluntary nature of the scheme. On the other hand, Mr Speaker, parents, students and community members should also be fully aware of the benefits that voluntary parental contributions bring to students and the school community. Voluntary parental contributions offer schools, through their school boards, the opportunity to satisfy their community's aspirations for the education of their children. In an ideal world these aspirations could be fully funded by government, or by parents, because, of course, there would be no poverty.

Mr Speaker, in addition to this, revenue from voluntary parental contributions places school boards in a major decision-making role in a way which school communities value highly. Decisions made by the school communities for those school communities are going to better target the needs of students. This has the consequence of achieving better outcomes for our young people. After all, that is what excellence in education is about - achieving the best outcomes possible for students. Voluntary parent contributions enhance the quality of the education which the larger community, through government, gives to our students.

Having said that, Mr Speaker, I want also to make it clear that we are not looking to this scheme as a way by which government evades its own responsibilities in providing quality of education. We are not taking that path. This Government's position on voluntary parental contributions is in the centre of the mainstream of present and past practices around Australia. After all, Mr Speaker, there is a long tradition of parental contribution schemes in all States and Territories. My colleague Mr Stefaniak referred to it earlier. When I attended school I was in the same situation as he was. In fact, as we have said many times, this Government is maintaining education funding in real terms this year and over the next three years. However, at a system level, the Government feels the same growing demands and pressures as schools feel at the community level. We too are committed to responding to those demands and pressures.

Initiatives have been taken jointly with schools to make available resources go further. I particularly want to mention initiatives in the information technology area, because the committee saw this as a critical issue and the Government agrees with that committee on this point. Bulk leasing arrangements, on very favourable terms, have been negotiated to enable schools to acquire new computers without having to outlay the initial capital up front. These arrangements are also being extended to photocopiers. Most colleges and all new schools are being connected to the ACT Government data network and they are being assisted to install local area networks.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .