Job cuts threaten school Arts Program

PSA President Sue Walsh today condemned the decision by NSW Education and Training Minister, Dr Andrew Refshauge, to proceed with job cuts to clerical staff that will jeopardise the future of large art exhibitions, debating competitions and state performances such as the annual Schools Spectacular.

PSA members will be distributing information to communities and schools throughout NSW urging parents to complain to their local member.

The Arts Unit draws together nearly thirty thousand government school student performers and artists and showcases their work in large regional, state, national and international performances and exhibitions to audiences of well over a million people.

As well as high profile events at the Opera House, Town Hall, and Entertainment Centre, students take part in state camps and ensembles in dance, drama, choral and instrumental music. The ensembles perform at State, National and International levels.

"Performance programs such as these, Debating and ARTEXPRESS (exhibitions of Higher School Certificate Visual Arts) are state treasures and show our commitment to our youth to the international community. Budget and staffing cuts will put these programs, performances and ensembles in jeopardy" said Ms Walsh

"The annual Schools Spectacular, for example, packs out the Sydney Entertainment Centre for three nights in November, in a variety entertainment showcase for talented students. Last year's event involved 3,500 NSW students, and was broadcast on ABC television in December. This event cannot be organised by the number of staff who will remain if the cuts are implemented."

"These programs are coordinated by classroom teachers with expertise in the arts. To communicate with students, teachers and parents of more than 2,000 public schools across NSW, these coordinators obviously need clerical support. Further assistance is required to organise venues, prepare performance materials, establish rehearsal timelines, staff the production and ensure the smooth and professional presentation of the events, which promote public education", said Ms Walsh.

The government is proceeding with a restructure in the Department of Education and Training that will cut 1,000 jobs including the support staff for these popular programs.

"The Minister says that the 1,000 job cuts announced in June were about slashing non-essential 'bureaucratic' jobs but this is a fiction. The reality is that these cuts will deeply hurt many important areas of educational support and delivery", said Ms Walsh.

The PSA is calling on the Minister to reverse the planned DET and TAFE job cuts.