Liberal candidate for Euroa Brad Hearn said part of the reason he had thrown his hat into the ring for the upcoming state election was that country kids deserved better.
“The direction of education has shifted. No longer are the students placed at the centre of efforts of schools,” Mr Hearn said.
“Schools are seeing a shift in student behaviour and not in a way that is positive.
“Engagement, attendance, participation, connection and peer Interactions are all areas that are under the radar.
“Coupled with teacher shortages, ongoing staffing issues and mental ill health, schools in the country are desperate for support.
“There is a current economic divide in education in the regional areas of Victoria.
“With the state reaching over a half of a billion (dollars) on casual relief teachers over three years.
“We need a government guarantee that students will come first. This is more so in our rural communities.
“The city and metro spilt in resources has impacted communities for decades, it’s systemic and it’s time for it to stop.
“Rural Victorians are fed up with the ongoing ignorance in government for the needs of country members of this state.
“Directly or not, students who can afford to pay for education end up having choice in their schooling and those without funds are left to wave through the experimental ‘one school’ mergers experienced in the state.
“Regional parts of Victoria are suffering, with more teacher shortages and professionals leaving the industry.
“Victoria is not alone in city centric state governments.
“Students, teachers and families should feel physically and psychologically safe and connected in their school. Families need choice when it comes to education.
“We are seeing students across the electorate haemorrhage from the public system.
“This has occurred in Seymour, this has occurred in Benalla and now the latest victims are those of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
“Recommendations of the 2019 review into rural and regional schools need to be adopted with additional supports to ensure that (a) fair share of resourcing is achieved.
“Oversight is required, be that a commissioner for rural and regional schools to better support a fair share for our country schools, to make sure they are getting their share, or the adoption of the 2019 review into regional and rural schools.
“It’s time there was action on the comprehensive review into public education across the state.
“This review can assist in addressing the variances in the delivery of service, staff conditions and students’ access to quality free education.
“Not until action on the formal review of rural public education is done will we know the significant disadvantage that is occurring, not only in the seat of Euroa but also across the other regional areas.
“Equity is more then a value, it should be a core fundamental and human right of the Department of Education and Training.”