Labor hits back at criticisms of its education planning

Universal Pre-K will not come into effect until 2030

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, has hit back at claims from the Liberal Party that the Opposition’s response to the recent State Budget shows it has “no plan or vision for education in NSW”.

The Liberal Party accused Labor of offering no new education spending and pulling a complete backflip on its response to the Government’s plans for pre-K and early education set out in the budget.

“Last week the Opposition called the Government’s pre-K plan fanciful; now they have shifted to futile, only promising 100 preschools,” a party spokesperson said.

“The government’s Early Years Commitment – a $15.9B investment over 10 years – is a revolutionary, considered approach backed in by the early childhood sector, business, and the families of NSW.

“Through this commitment, every child in NSW will have access to five days per week, free, preschool in the year before school.

“The reform starts immediately – with fee-relief to families for preschool, regardless of setting, and new sites for preschools identified in 2022-23.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said the people of NSW are excited about the Government’s early learning reforms, because within these reforms they recognise a vision and investment in their children’s future.

“(The) response from Labor proves they don’t understand the sector or the reform and they certainly don’t have a plan or ambition for the future generations on NSW,” she said.

“In the last four years alone, this Government has delivered more preschool places through our Start Strong funding than Labor’s election commitment would.

“Labor’s answer to universal pre-K is to deliver 100 government preschools.

“This would support around 3,800 children – hardly universal.”

But Harris says the Government is trying to shift attention away from the fact that its scheme doesn’t take effect until after 2030 because there are neither the facilities nor teachers to deliver the promise earlier.

“That means a child born on Budget day would be in Year 2 at school or a student in preschool now will be in High School before their announced plan takes effect,” he said.

“Labor is committing to immediately being able to deliver by providing the necessary facilities to actually make a difference for families.

“NSW Labor will have a comprehensive education plan for the 2023 election, unlike the current Government which has overseen a decline in educational outcomes, a shortage of teachers leading to a crisis in the workforce and plans that can’t be delivered until after the next two elections.”

Terry Collins