PRINCIPALS GAGGED ON SCHOOL BUILDING FIASCO
21-May-2010
Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, is asking why Labor in Victoria has stopped our principals from appearing before a Senate inquiry into the Building the Education Revolution.
“This is a total slap in the face to locals and begs the question – what have they got to fear,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“It was reported (The Age 18/5/10) that schools felt like they’d been bullied into accepting building plans which were totally unsuitable for their needs, and that the department was refusing to release cost breakdown figures.
“And now we have reports of independent and private schools receiving similar projects to their state run counterparts for a fraction of the price.
“We have a situation where principals are treated with contempt and are unable to speak up about obvious wastage of money and mismanagement and cannot support their school council presidents who are speaking out about the disappointments they are faced with.
“This is taxpayer money that is being syphoned, wasted or misused, whichever is the case, and they have a right, through the Senate inquiry process, to find out where it is going and how it has been allocated.
“Even the NSW Director General of Education will front the inquiry.
“Why can’t our principals support our local school communities and explain how we are being short changed and taxpayers’ money is being mismanaged.
“I would urge any principals with concerns to talk to me about the issues they are facing.”
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