Published 19/1/2010
The unprecedented decision by the Australian Education Union to boycott the National Literacy and Numeracy tests in 2010 is a sad indictment on how the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard has lost control of the Government's education agenda, according to Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.
"While the Coalition does not condone the planned action by teachers, we share their frustration that the provision of more information about school performance to parents must be coupled with greater autonomy and decision making capacity of principals and governing councils to act," Mr Pyne said.
"In October last year the Minister claimed a report commissioned by the previous Government about increasing principal autonomy 'supports the direction of the education reforms the Rudd Government is pursuing.'
"The truth is that while Ms Gillard has adopted the Coalition's policy to increase transparency within schools, her push to launch the Myschool website without giving principals the tools to address the inevitable concerns parents will raise is like asking a boxer to fight with one arm tied behind his back.
"Like 'Fuelwatch' and 'Grocerywatch' the 'Myschool' website is fast becoming another Labor internet debacle. Australia deserves a full-time Education Minister with the time to focus on the details," Mr Pyne said.
January 19, 2010
Media contact:
Adam Howard
0400 414 833