Education

A public education system which brings together students of all ethnic and social backgrounds can make a huge contribution to the establishment of a truly democratic, society in which everyone is equal.

We are totally against public funds being used to subsidise private choices and private profits. This has the potential to divide society along ethnic, religious and class lines.

The Communist Alliance bases its education policy on the following principles:

  • Access to quality education is a basic human right.
  • The education system must be focussed on both individual and social needs.
  • Governments are responsible for ensuring that everyone in society has access to the resources and has the opportunity to achieve their goals.
  • A fully funded public education system at all levels is the best way to deliver quality education for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
  • Individual education outcomes are affected by economic and social factors.
  • An effective education system requires a highly skilled workforce and well resourced facilities.

We maintain that the role of government in education is to provide a, free, inclusive public education system available to all Australians at pre-school, school and post school levels.

What we would do is:

  • Increase funding for schools which cater for students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Fund TAFE colleges at a level that will allow them to meet the needs of all who wish to access quality vocational training.
  • Abolish HECS fees for students at university. Restore compulsory unionism. Increase youth allowance to a living wage.
  • Increase the number of places at University for training of teachers and other education professionals.
  • Have teacher union representation on all regulatory bodies.
  • Ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have accessible, culturally-appropriate and community controlled education services.

The Communist Alliance opposes school league tables – click here to learn about the effect they have on our education system.

 

Print version of this policy (PDF)

Authorised by T Pearson, 74 Buckingham St, Surry Hills 2010