91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳

By Tamara Desiatov
PERTH — Up to 200 TAFE teachers, students and supporters rallied here on September 6 after three days of statewide strike action called by TAFE members of the State School Teachers Union (SSTUWA). The action was supported by, among others, the Nurses Federation and the Miscellaneous Workers Union. Kevin Reynolds, president of the Trades and Labour Council, congratulated the SSTU on the campaign and called for more united action to defeat the Court government's anti-worker/union legislation.
TAFE teachers have been picketing colleges to highlight the Court government's attacks on equity and access to TAFE. Students from Perth TAFE also spoke, supporting the campaign against the government's attacks on education.
Even though management has said that TAFE will not be privatised, and that there will be no increase in fees, it's clear that the government wants to privatise it. Painting and decorating has already been put out to private tender, and ads inviting tenders for other courses have appeared.
Privatisation will mean higher fees, cost-cutting and a reduction in the number of courses. For example, a Certificate of Hospitality at TAFE costs $337. The private provider will charge $3500.
Other issues of concern include the lack of teacher training, and the fact that temporary lecturers are to be sacked at the end of the year. Teachers now have to sign temporary agreements every year.
The campaign against "part-privatisation" is important; if it isn't stopped, it will not be long before we will have to pay for all courses including literacy courses for migrants, or courses for people with disabilities.
The SSTUWA has led a strong community campaign for quality education against the government's push for large classes, the casualisation of the labour force, the closure of smaller schools, the devolution of finances to schools and increases in fees and charges at public schools.
[Tamara Desiatov is a student from Balga TAFE.]