Get on with Gonski’s recommendations
We are concerned teachers from the western suburbs of Melbourne and wish to bring to your attention issues around the recent federal government’s announcement relating to the David Gonski review and its recommendations.
We celebrate and acknowledge the government’s commitment to $6.5 billion annually. This would mean significant support for the majority of our students, particularly as we teach some of the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised students in the state. In real terms this would enable us as teachers to support individual differences and challenges, and work together towards providing an education system that is about equity and opportunity for all. If all states work together we will become a world leader in education.
We implore the state government to reach an agreement with the federal government so that Gonski’s well researched and founded recommendations can start making a real difference to our students. Seir Holley, University Park Primary School St Albans; Belinda Perera, Sunshine Heights Primary School, Sunshine; Antoinette Masiero, Westgrove Primary School, Werribee
Public system forcing people into cars
Chronic under-investment in public transport means that so many people in the western suburbs have no choice but to drive a car every day in traffic congestion. The cost of running a car – rising petrol prices, service and repairs, parking, insurance, tolls – is already hurting families, and Sir Rod Eddington is proposing to put a congestion tax on top of this!
There must be a real alternative to the car in efficient, reliable public transport. Only then can we talk about a congestion tax.Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland
Re: Wyndham rates hike ‘grab for cash’, says minister (Weekly, September 12):
Funny how we are a community, yet some people are funding more than others. The services aren’t shared fairly either. Maybe we should make a set rate and everyone pays the same amount regardless, so that every person is contributing the same.
George (via web)
Re: ‘Gaffe’, so students miss the boat (Weekly, September 12):
The demise of boat building courses is such a backward step for the preservation of wooden and other boats. Our maritime museum had an apprentice through the course. As a maritime museum we won’t be able to put on any more apprentices.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village preserves our maritime heritage with one master boat builder and our fourth-year apprentice. Much of the boat builders still in active service are ageing so soon we will have thousands of recreational boats, with no one to repair them. Just chuck them out and buy one from China I guess.
Peter Abbott (via web)
