School support campaign launched

Date: 04 May 2009

There are 30,000 children with specific needs in our schools yet most of them are cared for by Learning Support Officers who have no job security.

The Public Service Association says that students with specific need are not getting the support they deserve because 70 per cent of learning support officers are long-term temps, with some only employed to help a student for two hours a week.

PSA President Sue Walsh launched the Students Need Us campaign today, calling on the Minister for Education and Training to raise professional standards for Learning Support Officers, and give students the support they need.

"Learning Support Officers constantly go beyond their statement of duties in order to give these students the care and support they deserve, to be able to reach their full potential.

"However the NSW Government continues to take them for granted, refuses to offer enough permanent positions in state schools, and provides these workers with very little training.

"Today we are launching Students Need Us, a campaign aimed at raising professional standards for all support staff in schools, and ensuring students with specific needs are given the highest level of care," said Ms Walsh.

The PSA will also launch its website today, http://www.studentsneedus.org.au which will encourage supporters to sign a petition to the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon. Verity Firth, calling on a better deal for students and staff.

"The message we want to send to the government today is that there is a lot of goodwill these workers provide, and it's time the government recognised their hard work, because schools simply could not function without them.

"Learning Support Officers are a vital part of the school community, and there is much more the NSW Government can do to help these workers help students," said Ms Walsh.

For further information

Contact:	Sue Walsh, PSA President
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	9220 0982
Contact Mobile:	0419 691 103
Email:	psa@psa.asn.au
WWW:	http://psa.labor.net.au/

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