Candidates questioned on education policies
Posted
Education has taken centre stage at another ACT election forum last night.
The ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations event was a far cry from the packed public meetings two years ago when the ACT Government announced its plans to close schools.
A small group of parents quizzed candidates from the major and minor parties.
Education Minister Andrew Barr focused on quality teaching and curriculums.
"Now is the opportunity to have an ACT Government and the Federal Government work together," he said.
Opposition Leader Zed Seselja said the Liberals had consulted school communities about their priorities.
"The feedback we had from parents, teachers and from students was that teachers were having to deal with more and more of the load," he said.
Mr Barr and Mr Seselja also reiterated their policies to reduce class sizes.
Canberra Party candidate Richard Mulcahy urged the Government to continue to invest in education.
"However I would make the point that has already been stated tonight, that money alone does not guarantee good outcomes," he said.
Jane Tullis from the Community Alliance Party detailed plans for neighbourhood schooling.
"We will introduce the concept of neighbourhood schooling and expand on that so that these centres become neighbourhood education and engagement centres," she said.
Topics raised by parents included teacher numbers, bullying and school funding.
