Illawarra Labor state politicians went back to school on Friday – for the second time this week.
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This time they dropped by Tarrawanna Public School to talk up NSW Labor’s pledge to inject $5000 a year to every public school Parents and Citizens group across the state.
With the March election less than 60 days away, their rivals also hit the campaign trail to announce the government would increase school bus funding by $1.8 million.
There were now 10,276 dedicated bus services for primary and high school students statewide, including a new service at Warilla High School.
The announcement came a day after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian promised to provide 300 more lollipop men and women to keep children safe at school crossings.
The government plans to spend $18.5 million over four years to provide the additional 300 lollipop supervisors.
At present, schools are eligible for a supervisor if they meet two criteria: their crossings have to be used by at least 300 cars an hour and at least 50 students an hour, in the mornings and afternoons.
Under the new plan, schools will have to meet only one of the two criteria.
NSW Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park said if Labor won government in March it would provide $5000 to P&Cs at the 2200 public schools each year.
Under the $11 million-a-year plan, the money must be spent on resources for children such as library books and sports uniforms.
“It will help schools, particularly small schools like here at Tarrawanna make a difference to the lives of the students who attend those schools,” Mr Park said.
The Keira MP said his father was a P&C member at his schools.
“I know just how much parents give in terms of volunteer time, their resources, their hours, their money and their commitment to make schools an even better place for young people to attend,” he said.
“This cash injection each year will allow the P&C to work with the principal and allocate funds to ensuring the kids have what they need in the classroom.
“Parents have a right to have their say when it comes to their child’s education. The parents on P&Cs give so much of their time raising funds for their schools, the least government can do is provide them with some assistance.”
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said P&C’s were the lifeblood of schools.
“Labor’s funding commitment will help to take the pressure off and ensure that our state’s public school students have access to the resources and equipment they need,” Ms Watson said.
Tarrawanna Public School’s P&C president Paul Boultwood welcomed Labor’s plan.
“This is amazing, not only for our school, but all schools,” he said.
“P&C members work tirelessly on fundraisers but this $5000 will help us greatly. Our biggest priority for the school is new interactive learning aides and air conditioning.
“Two air conditioning units need to be replaced and that can cost anywhere from $3000 to $10,000.”
Wollongong MP Paul Scully said Labor was also offering eye testing and free spectacles for up to 52,000 public school students in lower socio-economic areas.
He said 480 schools across NSW have qualified, including about half the schools in his Wollongong electorate.
“Areas around Berkeley, Warrawong, Port Kembla and Coniston qualify, as do some further south in Lake Illawarra and in the north we have areas like Bellambi,” Mr Scully said.
“Parents at this time of the year are inundated by costs when it comes to getting the kids back to school.
“Parents and children in our school communities deserve a helping hand and under NSW Labor they get support.”