Election promises for two orthodox schools
The Victorian Liberal Nationals have pledged $1.3 million for two Orthodox Jewish day schools in Melbourne if elected at the polls later this month.
David Southwick and Matthew Guy [centre]
This funding will support refurbishments of primary and secondary school learning areas at the Yeshivah College Campus as well as equip the primary playground and outfit the second-floor primary learning areas at the Beth Rivkah Campus.
An elected Liberal-Nationals Government will deliver $350,000 for Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, as part of a $5.25 million fund for security and maintenance upgrades for 12 Jewish schools across Melbourne.
Over a number of years, many of Melbourne’s Jewish schools have been forced to reprioritise much-needed maintenance funding towards security upgrades due to the heightened threat of antisemitic attacks and violence.
This policy also sends a clear message to the Jewish community of the importance the Liberal-Nationals place on a harmonious multi-faith and multi-cultural society.
Victoria Shadow Minister for Education, Tim Smith said: “We want to work with non-government schools to give all Victorian families choice in education.
I am delighted to announce this $5 million investment for Jewish schools as part of our $400 million commitment to non-government schools.
The Liberal-Nationals support faith-based schools as a very important aspect of our education system.”
Liberal Member for Caulfield, David Southwick commented: “Only a Matthew Guy led Liberal-Nationals Government will support Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah with $950,000 for essential works and facility upgrades.
Jewish schools shouldn’t be forced to cut back on key maintenance upgrades just to keep students and staff safe at school.
With incidents of antisemitic attacks on the rise, this is why support such as this is necessary and will ensure students don’t have to go without essential upgrades.”
In a statement released today, the Liberal-Nationals said they support a strong public and private education system because we believe in giving parent’s choice and children the best opportunities.
With Melbourne’s current population squeeze limiting parental choices it’s never been more important to support all three sectors of our school system.
Giving parents and children choice in education is a core value of the Liberal Nationals.
A critically important part of that choice is for parents to have the option of non-government and faith-based schools.
This funding will support a much-needed refurbishment and modernisation of the schools’ VET kitchen, as well as upgrades to heating and air-conditioning units throughout the school.
The Greens candidate in the District of Caulfield is a likeable fellow who I remember when we were handing out HTV cards for rival parties over 15 years ago in the Division of Melbourne Ports and the District of Albert Park.
‘Giving parents and children choice in education is a core value of the Liberal Nationals.’ I’ve never understood the rationale behind this statement. It’s a cop-out, really, I think to continue to foster financing private schools. Every dollar spent in this way disenfranchises and disadvantages the public school system which a very large percentage of Australians have no choice but to send their children to. No choice. Due to lack of money. There are also many middle income Jewish parents who can’t afford to make good use of the excellent Jewish private schools that we have due to the fees involved. We therefore end with a skewed and unfair situation where education is this country is concerned.
The lack of facilities and strain that many public schools are forced to operate with are a disgrace and until this is remedied there should not be government funding of private schools. Security issues are another matter entirely and come outside this ambit.