Director-General announces new Education Regional Directors

The announcement by the Director-General of Education and Training of 10 new Regional Directors has underwhelmed some 1,000 department employees who will be advised on 19 January 2004 that their jobs are to be axed.

Whilst 43 School Educational Areas are to be established, over 200 jobs statewide are to be deleted from former district offices. With another 800 jobs to go from State offices, TAFE Institutes and Colleges "we have been anxiously waiting for these appointments", Mr Steve Turner, Acting Assistant PSA Secretary, said.

Hopefully, we will find out where our remaining member's jobs will be located in the new structure. Perhaps the new directors can shed some light on the subject.

The PSA fears that continuing restructuring of the department will result in major disruption to services to Schools and TAFE Colleges during Term 1.

"It is a bit hard to expect our members to maintain their current excellent service when several thousand are to be transferred to new jobs between now and May. Also 1,000 job cuts leaves a huge hole in the department's service support to Schools and TAFE Colleges."

"This restructure is a bit like the titanic approach to Public administration. Throw 1,000 deck chairs overboard rearrange the rest and hope no one notices", Mr Turner said.

PSA delegates have recommenced meetings to maintain their campaign to restore the jobs proposed to be axed.

"We will be highlighting all those areas where jobs are to be cut and campaigning to restore those services to Schools and TAFE. Basically Public Education cannot happen without us", Mr Turner said.