O'FARRELL SLASHES 85 STAFF AND MILLIONS FROM THE BOARD OF STUDIES - AS PART OF $1.7 BILLION CUT TO EDUCATION IN NSW

MEDIA RELEASE| Tuesday, 16 October 2012

John Robertson MP, NSW Opposition Leader

Carmel Tebbutt MP, Shadow Minister for Education and Training

O'FARRELL SLASHES 85 STAFF AND MILLIONS FROM THE BOARD OF STUDIES - AS PART OF $1.7 BILLION CUT TO EDUCATION IN NSW

The O'Farrell Government is slashing 85 staff and $8.7 million from the Board of Studies - as part of its unprecedented $1.7 billion cut to the education system in NSW.

The Board of Studies manages the Higher School Certificate and develops NSW syllabuses for the new national curriculum.

Budget papers confirm the O'Farrell Government is cutting 50 staff and $8.7 million in funding from the Board of Studies in this financial year alone.

Internal Treasury documents reveal a further 35 expert staff will face the sack over the next four years under the O'Farrell Government's labour expense cap.

"The huge funding cuts to the Board of Studies will impact on the rollout of the national curriculum in NSW and could threaten the future delivery of our world class HSC," Opposition Leader John Robertson said today. 

"Our schools are being forced to do more with less under the O'Farrell Government."

The breakdown of Board of Studies funding cuts this year include:

·         $7.06 million cut from Examinations, Assessments and Credentials;
·         $1.69 million cut from Curriculum Development and Support Services; and
·         $140,000 cut from Registration and Accreditation Services. 

"The O'Farrell Government's disgraceful cuts to the Board of Studies represents 7.5 per cent of its total operating budget," Mr Robertson said.

"Slashing the funding for the Board of Studies is the last thing the O'Farrell Government should be doing at a time when it is rolling out the new national curriculum.

"There can be no excuse for slashing the funding and expert staff delivering the HSC and national curriculum in NSW."

Shadow Education Minister, Carmel Tebbutt said: "NSW is home to a world class credential in the Board of Studies managed HSC."

"The O'Farrell Government should be investing in the Board of Studies, not cutting its funding and dedicated staff.

"These cuts will impact on curriculum support and professional development precisely at the time our teachers need it most."

*Source: 2012/13 Budget paper 3, 3-22.

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