South Australian Senator Don Farrell will this week visit schools in the South East to present school leaders with national flags.
Senator Farrell said that while he was in the region he would also to talk to principals about the impacts of the Turnbull Government’s school funding cuts.
“Our principals and teachers work very hard to provide quality education opportunities and outcomes for our kids,” Senator Farrell said.
“So it’s concerning that a recent survey has found some schools are so cash-strapped that principals and teachers are spending their own money or relying on fundraisers and donations to purchase basic classroom supplies.”
The Government’s $30 billion school funding cuts mean Schools in the electorate of Barker are set to lose more than $50 million in Federal funding.
Senator Farrell said he regularly heard from parents worried about the impact the cuts will have on their children’s access to quality education and was keen to hear from principals and teachers in the South East about how they think the cuts will affect their school budgets.
“It could mean teachers might be unable to give students the time and resources they deserve and need to develop the skills required in their adult life.”
In January, Senator Farrell contacted schools offering to replace worn or missing National and Aboriginal flags, as part of the Federal Parliament’s Constituents’ Request Program.
This week, he will present flags to schools that submitted a request, along with a booklet outlining the history and significance of Australia’s flags.
“With Anzac Day coming up, now is a great time for students to be learning about the meaning of our national flags, what they symbolise and the protocols for flying them,” Senator Farrell said.