…Arguments Based on Wild Assumption
“The much publicized report by the Grattan Institute on class sizes and student outcomes is built on shonky foundations” said Independent Education Union of Australia Federal Secretary Chris Watt.
“The report states that ‘government spending on education increased about 40 per cent over the past decade, much of it spent on reducing class sizes’.”
“Either the research is incorrect or the researcher’s understanding is flawed because the major cost increases in school education spending have resulted from salary and wage increases achieved by unions.”
“As a consequence, a completely wrong picture is presented about expenditure and therefore assumptions about success of that expenditure.”
“The facts are that in the last decade teacher salaries in non-government have increased by over 53%* due to campaigns by the IEU’s branches.”
“Support staff including clerical, administrative, teacher aides and maintenance staff have had increases in the order of 70%.”
“Whilst there is no doubt a fruitful conversation to be had about supporting teachers in their work, there has not been an ‘ineffective’ or ‘wasteful’ expenditure on class sizes that the report infers.”
“Indeed, what research on class sizes overwhelmingly shows is that governments need to spend considerably more to lower class sizes substantially, not incrementally, to achieve significant improvements in learning environments and student outcomes.”
* figures relate to Catholic systemic schools in NSW
Contact:
Chris Watt
Federal Secretary Independent Education Union
Ph (02) 6273 3107 0419 259 143