NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS AXED FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING FOR DISADVANGTED STUDENTS IN NORTHERN RIVERS

Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has moved a motion in the NSW State Parliament condemning the Minns Labor Government for axing education to some of the most disadvantaged and disengaged students in the Northern Rivers with face-to-face learning through Southern Cross School of Distance Education at Ballina ceasing to operate this week.

Mr Williamson said he had been informed by concerned parents and caregivers that all face-to-face distance education services have been terminated without warning or without a plan moving forward with students, parents and teachers left completely in the dark.

“This is not good enough and I’m calling on the NSW Education Minister Prue Car to come clean on why the program has suddenly been axed and reinstate distance education for disadvantaged communities and students,” Mr Williamson said.

“The education of some of the most vulnerable children in our community has been affected and I question why parents and teachers were given no warning this was going to happen.

“Here we are celebrating education week across the state while the NSW Government is dismantling it impacting some of our most disadvantaged learners.

Mr Williamson said it was the biggest axing of public education in the Northern Rivers we have ever seen with up to 40 teachers and staff forced to transfer from their distance education jobs to other roles within the Department of Education.

“This is just outrageous on so many levels with no education being delivered to disengaged students and the morale of teachers at an all-time low,” Mr Williamson said.

“It seems Minister Car plans to unenroll the students to solve the Government's financial problems.

“These students are some of the most at-risk in the region which the mainstream education system has failed, and now the Minns Labor Government is failing them.

““It’s a real kick in the guts for the students, families and teachers. Every student deserves to receive a quality public education, and I’m calling on the Premier and Education Minister to do better and provide answers.”

The Southern Cross School of Distance Education delivers education to students between Coffs Harbour, Tenterfield and the Queensland border.