Big fees: Gordon students Belinda Wilson and Nina Cleary at the rally on Wednesday.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
ABOUT 50 Gordon Institute of TAFE staff and students have rallied in Geelong’s Johnstone Park to protest State Government funding cuts.
Australian Education Union organised the rally as part of a state-wide campaign.
The union’s Greg Barclay said Gordon was “under pressure” to compete with private training organisations.
“The Government has already cut $40 million from TAFE funding and there’s another $230 million in cuts to come,” Mr Barclay said.
“This is simply taking funds from TAFE institutes to fund private providers.
“At the same time, the Essential Services Commission identified major quality issues in an unregulated market.”
Mr Barclay said the Government had been forced to admit revamping educational standards, resulting in deregulation of up to 50 private training companies.
“TAFE institutes, including Gordon, are trying to come up with ways to compete with private training organisations.
“Gordon is one of only two TAFE institutes that traded with a surplus and then it was only by 1.7 per cent.”
Mr Barclay said TAFE student fees were rising as the funding cuts.
Gordon student Belinda Wilson, of Anglesea, said her Certificate IV in youth work was costing her almost $8000.
“I did a funded Diploma in Photography course previously but reassessed my goals and wanted to change careers,” Ms Wilson said.
“I did my original course right out of school when you feel pressure to make a choice.
“I want to do something to give back to community but I feel I’m being penalised to do it.”
Leopold’s Marie Tucker and Waurn Ponds’ Rachel Hayden-Brooks said they each faced $16,000 in fees because they previously studied at university level.
Leopold’s Nina Cleary said she was working two jobs to pay for her $8000 fees.
“There is a lot of stress and pressure to succeed because I’m worried that if I fail a year I will have to pay more to restudy it.”
