If you’re in Braidwood and seeking the location, it’s:

Central School, Ryrie Street, N block, library (upstairs).

1530 HOURS

Three of the candidates set to contest the federal seat of Eden-Monaro in 2019 will meet in a forum to discuss education tonight.

Seat incumbent Dr Mike Kelly (Labor) along with candidates Dr Fiona Kotvojs (Liberals) and Patrick McGinlay (Greens) will address a public meeting at Braidwood Central School from 6pm, Monday.

The P&C-hosted event will see the candidates respond to questions about education – and education issues only – over 90 minutes.

Questions have already been sent to candidates ahead of the forum so they have time to consider answers and not answer ‘off the cuff’.

At the start of the forum, candidates will have a few minutes to explain their education policy.

There will then be about an hour to respond to questions, in random speaking order.

The event, to be hosted in the Braidwood Central School library, is expected to run from 6pm to 7.30pm on December 10.

1810 HOURS

The candidates have arrived and are mingling in the Braidwood Central School library (upstairs in N block, for those in the vicinity soon to arrive – enter from Ryrie Street).

Forum organiser Tim Wimborne – president of the Braidwood Central School P&C – is ushering attendees to their seats and preparing to make opening remarks.

1820 HOURS

The Nationals' candidate Sophie Wade has sent apologies.

Dr Kelly: Says family goes back 70 years in the region; grandfather was a teacher in the small regional schools in Eden-Monaro “until his throat gave out”. Speaks to “the special needs of education in rural Australia” and his support for the Gonski program under Labor. It was attempt to benchmark school standards and fund in response to that, “to give the schools the resources they need,” especially during the time of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). “The impact was great … and every town in this region was positive about the impact … [but] we have to finish the job and get the 100 percent standard … We need to adopt through-life learning [and] restore TAFE funding … to close the gap between TAFEs and universities” in response to skills-based education.

Dr Kotvojs: Recalls her own experience as a new teacher, instilling a love of learning alongside literacy and numeracy. She has designed and delivered education, from early children to adult education, in Australia, the Pacific and south-east Asia. “I’ve done a doctorate in education [and] the things I really are really important is that parents have a choice where they send their children, whether public or private; that schools have the power to make decisions … where they spend their funding, not imposed by government. I believe education should be outcomes driven, not only inputs … and accountability. Funding has gone up nine percent per annum since Labor, per student and in total.” Also mentions how apprenticeships attract 75 percent funding support.

Mr McGinlay: Has worked as a trainer/manager in adult education, and as a consultant in the sector. “Basic principles the Greens believe in as policy … we believe in public education and the adequate funding thereof; universal access to quality education” for social cohesion, sustainable living. “Federal funding should be on the basis of need” with equity. “Teachers have been the missing ingredient in so many reviews over the years” and they should be part of the consultation regarding development of the sector along with unions. Quotes the Teachers’ Federation regarding the high proportion of teachers who dip into their own pocket to furnish classrooms with resources. Says the Greens have a five-year target for funding, including capital grants.

1837 HOURS

Question 1: 

Many people in our community are concerned about the impact of NAPLAN testing, in particular an increase in ‘teaching to the test’ rather than meeting the individual needs of students. What would your party do to address the negative aspects of NAPLAN?

Dr Kotvojs: I would find it offensive if someone said I was teaching to a test. Most teachers are professionals who teach to the curriculum. NAPLAN is a real tool when used properly and it provides for transparency and accountability. The challenges can be overcome by clearly communicating the purpose of the system. It’s not about ‘results’ today’ but changes over time … in comparison to other, similar schools.

Mr McGinlay: In general terms, the Greens do not believe in mass, external testing … unless the results are used as a diagnostic tool and in confidence.

Dr Kelly: We need to get feedback from the coal face and see where it needs to be improved. We do need some mechanism to determine what the need is and how it should be tackled.

1841 HOURS

Question 2:

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 70 percent of primary school students and 59 percent of secondary school students attend public schools. But a 2017 Productivity Commission report showed that nearly 64 percent of Commonwealth funding goes to private schools. How will your party achieve funding equity? What are your thoughts on a needs-based funding model? 

Dr Kelly: The cut has been what has been delivered compared with what would have been delivered under the Gonski system. We intend to go back to the original plan. 

Dr Kotvojs: Independent schools are funded on average per child 69 percent of what a public school child gets. If those children went to a public school, it would actually cost more than at present.

Mr McGinlay: Funding for non government schools, if it’s going to have an adverse impact on public education, then it has to come down … The vast majority of disadvantaged kids … are picked up by the public sector.

1846 HOURS

Question 3:

The Liberal and Labor parties in NSW have committed in principle to building a new high school in Bungendore. While we understand and support that community’s demand for a high school, there is nonetheless concern in the Braidwood community that the addition of another high school in this region would have a detrimental impact on enrolments, staffing, and student services at BCS, given that the existing high schools are not currently operating at capacity. What federal support will your party provide to guarantee a sustained future for Braidwood Central School?

Mr McGinlay: We’d be aghast if any public school had to close down or had its services diminished … If a private school opened next door, we would not let that affect the public school next door; but two public schools, we would have to look at the policy.

Dr Kotvojs: This is still being worked through … and if they do approve it, we need to work with the schools and what they’d like for their futures, [perhaps] complementary areas of expertise, as is delivered in other areas.

Dr Kelly: We need to appreciate what’s happening in the ACT; the conurbation. NSW has pushed kids across the border … for a long time; [not any more]. With Bungendore, yes, we’ve committed [the money] but it will be no threat to Braidwood Central.

1852 HOURS

Question 4:

During the Rudd Government’s education revolution, students around the country in year 9 were given laptops to use until they left school. Many current BCS Year 12 students, who do not own their own computer, are still using these outdated laptops. How will you ensure all senior high school students in public schools have access to the technology they need?

Mr McGinlay: Not only should funding levels be transparent, but they should be based on the real cost of educating students to the highest standard … down to, if there is a need there, public schools must be fully funded at that level.

Dr Kelly: It was a great initiative; kids have to be digital natives in this world; and we will ensure they have the technology to meet the challenges.

Dr Kotvojs: It’s important that schools are empowered to meet the needs of the students at that school, and that’s going to be different at every school … Your priority might be teacher’s aides … it will be different in each school.

1855 HOURS

Question 5:

The example of the Finnish education system is frequently cited as a model. They start school far later than in Australia, spend considerably less time at school, and have more time for free play at school, yet consistently achieve better outcomes on international tests than students here. What is your party's vision for improving engagement and success in Australian education?

Dr Kotvojs: The Gonski review… is endorsed and supported. The key recommendation for me is that it’s going to put teachers first. In Finland, they take the top 10 percent of [tertiary] students. They are highly respected and there is a lot of focus on professional development. It’s a decentralised system and local schools make the decision. Parents who read to their children, just 10 minutes a day – they perform better.

Dr Kelly: There are a lot of economic and social issues at play there … but it’s critical to address early childhood [learning] and cognitive development at that age. You need to be investing in that. We have to be teaching kids how to be creative, to be creatively analytical. Yes, the fundamentals, the foundations, but also … creative analysis … arts, music, all these things that are just as important … [to] push boundaries.

Mr McGinlay: I’m aware the Finnish model is unique to Finland …  so I don’t think we should worry too much about those kind of tables. Winning that league … Asian kids are the top 10 and they’re stressed out. We have fun and enjoy life, and that’s as important.

1901 HOURS

Question 6:

The government spends a substantial amount on support for foster care students. However, teachers struggle to support these most vulnerable children who often present with mental health, learning, behavioural and additional needs. Staff experience is that out of home care providers too often leave schools to shoulder a heavy load in supporting these high-needs students. Could you outline what support your party would provide to these students and the schools that serve them?

Dr Kelly: Primarily it is a state responsibility … But there are lots of policies we’re pursing [in terms of social welfare, homelessness].

Dr Kotvojs: It is a bigger issue than foster care children. We have a growing number of children coming [to school with disadvantage] … it could be as simple as coming to school without glasses … Part of how we’re going to address that is … through additional teacher’s aides. But there will also be long-term solutions … dealing with the cause and not just the symptom. Some issues are at the juncture of health and education [so slip between the cracks].

Mr McGinlay: I won’t get into macro economics about the growing [wealth] gap … policy aims, so that every opportunity that comes up, you can do something about it. Two things: more teachers in schools [able to deal with] these issues. Have more teachers there for those kids. Increase specialist teachers and support services, particularly in pre schools. Say it, do it, be held accountable for it.

1907 HOURS

Question 7:

What is your stance on the Safe Schools Program? If you are not in support of the program, what measures do you suggest are put in place to support all students in our schools regardless of sexuality or gender?

Mr McGinlay: I know the intent behind it … giving increased support to LGBTIQ students. If it’s not reaching its goals, look at it and improve it. The Greens support education in … consent, respectful relationships, gender diversity.

Dr Kotvojs: It is not suitable for primary school children [but] bullying for any reason … it is not acceptable in schools … Another program [in lieu] has been endorsed by every state minister for education … The material is publicly available, unlike Safe Schools. People who have accessed it haven’t raised any issues … We have to have a package and approach in schools that will stop bullying and avoid it. 

Dr Kelly: The teachers in the schools in our region are doing a good job and I believe the marriage equality campaigned [contributed towards that]. Eden-Monaro voted over 65 percent in support of that. But there is the need for a standardised program around this. Very soon we’ll be rolling out a detailed policy as a replacement for Safe Schools, but it is important we don’t send out contradictory messages on the value of differences.

1914 HOURS

Closing remarks:

Dr Kotvojs: The Liberals have invested an extra $440 million in early childhood education. We’re also [boosting TAFE education]. There is nothing more important than a kid coming out of school and wanting to learn. None of the jobs I have had, except for teaching, I knew existed when I came out of school … So wherever they go, whatever they want to do in the future, they can.

Dr Kelly: Restoring the Gonski commitment in full, that will be done. TAFE – we’ve lost 140,000 apprenticeships in the last five years. That hemorrhaging has to stop … A proper roll-out of the NBN … for the ability of schools to deliver language education, for example, wherever the [teacher] may be. That will all be available under a [Labor] needs-based approach to funding. A game-changing transformation of our education sector.

Mr McGinlay: Equal employment opportunity ... over the years I worked with the four targeted groups… would have achieved more if they had equal education opportunity. It’s philosophical, it’s principle based. I often hear The Greens are principle-based. Isn’t that great? Now let’s get some action behind them.

1920 HOURS

[Close.]