Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has focused on the needs of the education sector in the South Burnett during a recent visit to the region by LNP Shadow Minister for Education, Dr Christian Rowan.
Deb said the Shadow Minister’s visit was an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on our local schools and hear directly from teachers and staff.
“I was really pleased to welcome our LNP Shadow Minister for Education, Dr Christian Rowan to the South Burnett to highlight some of the great achievements at our schools, but also discuss the challenges we face in the regional education sector,” Deb said.
“It was a jam-packed day with visits to Nanango State High School, St John’s Lutheran School in Kingaroy and a meeting with teachers and Queensland Teacher’s Union (QTU) members.
“Importantly, we discussed issues affecting teachers and education outcomes including student behaviour, safety for school staff, literacy and numeracy, infrastructure needs, class sizes and resources, health and wellbeing of students and staff and much more.
“I truly appreciate the hard work of our teachers and school staff and the vital role they play in the education journey of our young people,” Deb said.
Shadow Minister for Education, Dr Christian Rowan said the visit to the South Burnett had been very productive.
“I really appreciated the time so many teachers took to come and speak with me about the issues they face each and every day in their schools,” Dr Rowan said.
“It is so important to get this direct feedback about what is important for schools in the South Burnett and the policies which will support our teachers and students across the educational sector.
“After 10 years in power, the Palaszczuk-Miles State Labor Government has an appalling track record when it comes to education in Queensland.
“Labor’s 2020 election promise to recruit new teachers and teacher-aides is in tatters, with Labor’s ongoing teacher workforce crisis impacting on literacy and numeracy outcomes across Queensland.
“School infrastructure project delays are crippling school buildings and classrooms across our state, particularly throughout our rural, regional and remote communities.
“Queenslanders are also seeing a broken behavioural management framework throughout our schools, under the State Labor Government.
“Student suspensions and expulsions have skyrocketed by over 17% since 2015, and more than half a billion dollars in WorkCover claims have now been paid to teachers and staff, under the Palaszczuk-Miles Labor Government.
“Only the LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s future, including fixing Labor’s broken student behavioural management framework, provide better teacher resources, restore standards, and implement a zero tolerance approach to violence in our schools”.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington and Shadow Minister for Education, Christian Rowan met with local teachers and QTU members.
