The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, said the recent Victorian Auditor-General report that found rural and regional schools are more likely to be in poor condition than metropolitan schools, again highlighted this government’s neglect of country Victoria.
“The flow-on effect is that these schools face additional hurdles in attracting and retaining teachers, accessing specialist support and maintaining ageing facilities within their own school budgets. As a teacher myself, I see this first hand.
“Labor calls Victoria the Education State, but teachers, parents and students are being let down by a government that has lost focus on the basics,” she said.
Ms Rendell said The Nationals’ have policies that would rectify this situation.
“From an infrastructure perspective, the 25 per cent regional guarantee will ensure our fair share of funds spent in the country. At present, regional Victoria has 25 per cent of the population but only receives 12 per cent of infrastructure spending.
“When this is corrected, it will allow more funding for the services and facilities we need, and there is nothing more important than providing students with quality educational facilities. It’s not complex – give us our fair share, not half of it.”
The Nationals will also deliver the Successful School Starters program from term one, 2028, providing every Victorian prep classroom with access to specialist support to help identify potential learning and developmental needs.
Occupational therapists and speech pathologists will be embedded within the existing Primary School Nursing Program to observe students, advise parents and help families navigate the early stages of specialist assessment and diagnosis.
Students requiring further specialist review will also receive a $500 subsidy towards their initial specialist appointment.
The Nationals’ will also scrap Labor’s payroll tax on non-government schools, helping keep school fees lower and protecting the right of parents to choose the education that best suits their children.
“Our education system should support teachers to teach, students to learn, and parents to make the best choices for their families,” Ms Rendell said.
“Teachers should feel valued and supported in their profession, and every student should have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their postcode.
“The state needs a fresh start and an education system that respects its teachers, supports its families and puts students first.”
Caption: East Gippsland is home to some outstanding schools and teachers, but teacher and The Nationals’ candidate, Gemma Rendell, says the entire education system needs the right level of support to sustain strong learning environments for all students.
