Investment in Education Critical for Economy

Investment in Education Critical for Economy

With unemployment statistics the highest they have been in a decade it is critical to invest more in education, not less, PPTA president Kate Gainsford says.

Gainsford was particularly disappointed in comments made that the 7.3% unemployment figure stemmed from poor teaching.

“If high unemployment was the result of poor teaching then why aren’t teachers given the credit when unemployment levels are down? There are many more factors in play here.

“This is not a proper position to take if there is a genuine interest to address underachievement or unemployment.

“More investment in education across all sectors of society is the only way to achieve sustainable economic growth,” she said.

Gainsford was concerned that the government’s Youth Guarantee scheme to help disengaged youth would not go far enough to achieve this goal – “but it is a start.”

“The Youth Guarantee only begins to address the problem. We want to see how it will benefit the majority of students – not just the 2000 targeted. With more than 72,000 young people between 15 to 24 unemployed, a genuine way forward for the other 70,000 has to be put in place quickly.

Taking 80% of the funding away from a major stepping-stone to employment, adult community education (ACE) classes, was a decision that seriously needed reviewing, Kate said.

“It is not the way forward if we are really serious about improving the skills base of our workforce.

“The prime minister says the focus this year will be on economic growth, and we trust he will see this is not possible without further investment in education.”

ENDS

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