LABOR’S EXTRA 2500 TEACHERS CUT CLASS SIZES

Media Release

Jobs for 2500 extra teachers in state schools across Queensland will help reduce class sizes the LNP has allowed to blow out as part of its neglect of frontline services, says Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk.
In Townsville Ms Palaszczuk said Labor’s new policy to boost the ranks of teachers across the state included $139 million over three years for 875 new teachers above the more than 1,600 already planned to be engaged to keep pace with population growth.
“Under Labor’s new policy state schools will have the teachers to cope with growth in enrolments while addressing the blowout in class sizes the LNP has allowed to happen in just under three years,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Since March 2012 the Newman Government has failed students and school communities by allowing the number of oversize classes to rise significantly as part of its attack on frontline services."
“There are now 520 fewer teachers in Queensland’s state schools because of the LNP’s deliberate and cynical decision to change the longstanding formula used to allocate teachers that applied from the start of the 2013 school year.”
Ms Palaszczuk said Labor’s new policy for extra teachers included an additional 275 specialist high school teachers.
She said the policy would see reductions in class sizes in at least 125 state primary schools and extra teachers assigned to most of the state’s 275 state high schools.
“The push by the Newman Government to cut frontline services has had a significant impact in classrooms across our state."
“In just less than three years of an LNP Government the number of students per teacher has risen at 76% of state schools and there are an estimated 58,000 students in overcrowded classes — that’s almost 10% of Queensland’s state school population."
“Labor’s policy costing $139 million over three years for 875 teachers to boost numbers by 2500 will repair the damage caused by the LNP’s attack on frontline services.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the difference between the political parties on class sizes was clear.
“Over three years Labor will employ 50% more new teachers than the LNP and will reduce class sizes,” she said.

“It is vital expenditure if we are to provide a good start for Queensland’s children — our state’s most precious resource.”