Labor's policy of closing small schools 'madness'
Tuesday, 03 August 2010 14:33
Dr Bruce Flegg MPShadow Minister for Education and TrainingMember for Moggill1 August 2010
Labor’s policy of closing small schools ‘madness’
BLIGH Labor’s determination to close small schools was “madness’ and flew in the face of the best possible education for Queensland children, the State Opposition said today.
Shadow Minister for Education and Training Dr Bruce Flegg said the Bligh government could not ignore the response from the Daintree community to the threat to close its State School.
“Local residents and others have rallied … 1300 people have signed a petition to keep the Daintree State School open and the Bligh government would do well to listen,” Dr Flegg said.
“The importance of small schools to local communities can not be over-stated, but under the long-term Labor government small schools are becoming an endangered species.
“Schools need resources to ensure the best possible educational outcomes, but the Education Minister also needs to remember that schools, especially in smaller communities, represent much more than a building with a minimum number of students.
“These schools are very heart of many communities, and the educational and social outcomes for these children can be greatly diminished if they are forced to travel many kilometres to other schools.
“Small schools offer a range of benefits to students, including personal attention and encouragement, strong support from the school community, and the ability to interact with other students irrespective of age.”
Dr Flegg said Education Minister Geoff Wilson should listen to the voice of the petitioners and fellow Labor member and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt who has criticised the process for deciding the closures and mothballing of schools.
“I understand Labor’s Member for Cook Jason O’Brien will be tabling the petition from the Daintree residents in Parliament. It will be very interesting to see what else Mr O’Brien does to ensure the Daintree State School is not shut down.”
Dr Flegg said Labor’s policy of closing small schools defied logic, as witnessed by the Minister’s answers* to questions during this month’s budget estimates hearings.
“There appears to be no rhyme or reason to any of it …one minute the Minister is sending cheques and congratulatory letters on academic achievement …the next he’s sending a bureaucrat to shut them down.”