The Turnbull Government’s comprehensive plan to improve education standards includes:

1.       More teachers specialising in literacy and numeracy.

2.       Investing an additional $1.2 billion to test for literacy and numeracy in year one so early intervention can occur if problems are identified.

3.       Increased reporting to parents on literacy and numeracy.

4.       Minimum year 12 standards for literacy and numeracy.

5.       Recruiting more teachers qualified in science, technology, engineering and maths.

6.       Linking teacher salary progression to competency and achievements, not just length of service.

7.       Providing incentives for high-performing teachers to work in disadvantaged schools.

These are just some of the initiatives to help our children and invest in their futures.

The plan clearly shows where the money is going and it’s about investing and schools who most need extra resources.

Where funding has increased and performance has declined in the past, you have to look at what went wrong.

Where performance has improved, we need to know what is working.

We will focus on directing funding into programs that are proven to work as part of a needs-based approach to ensure all students get the help they need and deserve.

Importantly, I have been assured that all the programs started in local schools, that have been successful in boosting the results of students, will be able to continue under this funding model.

As a final reassuring note, we have a costed and affordable plan to increase funding by eight per cent over each of the next three years.

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis

Ms Sudmalis was responding to an opinion piece written and submitted on behalf of the Boulee Public School Parents and Citizens Association, published in the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner on June 10.

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