With one month until the Victorian state election both parties have been hot on the campaign trail attempting to entice voters with education reforms.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews announced this week the Victorian Labor Government will reintroduce Tech Schools and boost the state’s TAFE system with a $320 million cash injection.
Labor’s ‘TAFE Rescue Fund’ will reopen closed campuses, bailout institutes at risk of financial ruin, and upgrade TAFE buildings across the state, with the proposed funds flowing as an emergency measure as early as day one of government.
“Our TAFE Rescue Fund will re-open campuses that closed, bail out campuses in strife, and upgrade labs, workshops, buildings and classrooms across our state,” Andrews said at Labor’s campaign launch. “We’ll make sure the system survives next year – but we also want to make sure it survives the next decade.”
Andrews said a Victorian Labor Government will also invest $125 million to establish 10 regional Tech Schools across the state that will focus on local industries and be open for students in Years 7 to 12.
“Students who enrol in the regional Tech will also stay enrolled in the local secondary school,” he said. “They’ll spend a set period of time every month getting their technical education alongside their secondary studies – not in place of a comprehensive education, but as part of it.”
Meanwhile Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said a re-elected Coalition would provide $3750 to each of the state’s 391 public secondary schools to buy 3D printers.
