With schools back this week, Greens candidate for Keira Kit Docker is calling for fully funded public education that is free and accessible for all.

With schools back this week, Greens candidate for Keira Kit Docker is calling for fully funded public education that is free and accessible for all.

“Every child in every part of the state deserves access to world class public education no matter their background or circumstance,” Mr Docker said, “ but this Government has driven our public education system into the ground through chronic underfunding and the devaluing of the teaching profession.

“We’re seeing children in our region missing out on valuable class time because their school is unable to secure enough teachers. The consequences of today’s teacher shortages are going to be felt for decades to come. By working with teachers instead of against them, we can restore public education in NSW to a world class level that will benefit the entire community.

“The Greens have a plan to deliver what is needed to respect, recruit, resource, and retain teachers in public education, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to realise their full potential no matter where they attend school. This starts with teachers getting a 15 percent pay rise and two hours less face-to-face teaching per week to help them prepare for their lessons ahead of time.

“I also want the next government to provide 100 percent of the School Resourcing Standard to every public school in the state. It’s time to end the underfunding.

“It’s not just teachers who are being shortchanged, it’s also parents and children. When I was at public school, my mum couldn’t afford the school fees. When it came to excursions, I felt stress rather than excitement because I knew the pressure that this would place on mum to find a way for me to attend with the rest of my classmates. Public schools should be free. That means no school fees, no ‘voluntary’ contributions, just proper government funding.”