PM and Ed Minister at odds on Computers in schools

Comments by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today shows that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing in the education portfolio, according to Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.

"Documents obtained by the Opposition show some schools in South Australia are charging parents for access to laptops outside of school hours, or encouraging parents to buy computers outright," Mr Pyne said.

When asked about schools charging parents for computers, the Prime Minister said ""When we're providing that level of support to schools for computers in schools I don't see any basis for any school then subsequently charging a parent for its use.""

This appears to contradict Mr Rudd's Education Minister, Julia Gillard, who said ""Individual schools can obviously make arrangements to assist parents with the provision of computers at home.

"If Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard can't explain whether or not parents are meant to be charged for their computers in schools policy, then maybe it is time for a full-time Education Minister who will be across the details," Mr Pyne said.

January 18, 2010

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