Teacher strike to close 54 WA schools

Date
    September 18, 2013


The unions organising Thursday's strike across Western Australian schools say they are not prepared to back down unless the state government gives in to their demands.      

At least 54 state schools are expected to be closed on Thursday morning and others will operate on a limited basis.

State School Teachers Union president Anne Gisborne described the planned cuts, which could see a loss of 500 jobs, as "unjustified" and were a result of "mismanagement".      

Ms Gisborne said the only way to avoid the disruption was for Premier Colin Barnett to step in and return the funding that had been removed from the education budget.


Mr Barnett confirmed teachers who walked off the job to strike would lose half a day's pay.

He admitted his education reforms would bring pain, heartache and challenges to some schools but would go ahead despite the industrial action.      

"The decision has been made and this rally will not affect decisions of this government," Mr Barnett told ABC radio.

Department of Education director general Sharon O'Neill told 6PR that school closures were determined on staff attendance numbers.

She said letters were to be distributed on Wednesday afternoon to inform parents of school closures

Ms O'Neill said parents should contact their children's school for confirmation on operating hours or check the department's website.

She said teachers were expected to take strike action in the morning.

"Our anticipation is that teachers and other staff will return in the afternoon, so at this point I'm told that this redrawal of services is for the morning."

School which remain open will operate at reduced capacity and regular classes are likely to be modified.

"It's reasonable to think that in some schools we might need to modify what we do," Ms O'Neill said.

She said her focus was to ensure students were not left at schools without staff to monitor them.

Education Minister Peter Collier said the education budget would increase by $300million in 2013-14 but, Ms Gisborne said, that increase was to cover population growth.

She said, considering there would be at least 18,500 additional students in WA schools by 2015, it did not make sense to reduce staffing levels.



SCHOOLS CLOSED ON THURSDAY:

Goldfields

Esperance Senior High School Education Support Centre

Ngaanyatjarra Lands School

Midwest

John Willcock College

North Metropolitan Bullsbrook College

City Beach Primary School

Creany Education Support Centre

Darlington Primary School

Davalia Primary School

Dianella Heights Primary School

Eddystone Primary School

Hillcrest Primary School

Joondalup Education Support Centre

Joondalup Primary School

Lockridge Primary School

Marmion Primary School

Quinns Beach Primary School

Roseworth Education Support Centre

South Ballajura Primary School

Pilbara

Baynton West Primary School

Cassia Education Support Centre

Cassia Primary School

Karratha Primary School

Tambrey Primary School

Wickham Primary School

Southwest

Amaroo Primary School

Bridgetown High School

South Metropolitan

Aubin Grove Primary School

Belmont Primary School

Carcoola Primary School

Castlereagh School

Cloverdale Education Support Centre

Cloverdale Primary School

Coolbellup Learning Centre

East Maddington Primary School

East Victoria Park Education Support Centre

East Victoria Park Primary School

Kalamunda Education Support Centre

Kalamunda Senior High School

Kardinya Primary School

Kenwick School

Leda Education Support Centre

Queens Park Primary School

South Fremantle Senior High School

Warnbro Primary School

Westfield Park Primary School

Winterfold Primary School

Wirrabirra Education Support Centre

Wheatbelt

Avonvale Education Support Centre

Boddington District High School

Darkan Primary School

East Narrogin Primary School

Kondinin Primary School

Northam Senior High School

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/teacher-strike-to-close-54-wa-schools-20130918-2tyvu.html#ixzz2fHhMglv1