Arabic version: تم توبيخ إيفيت بيري بينما يضرب معلمو ACT من أجل ظروف أفضل

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry was censured in the Legislative Assembly as teachers went on strike on Thursday. This action follows ongoing negotiations between the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the government regarding a new enterprise agreement.

The censure, a joint motion from the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens, criticized Berry’s management of both education and housing portfolios. According to ABC News, the opposition parties cited a “sustained record of failure” in these crucial areas, pointing to increasing pressures on ACT public schools.

Berry defended her record, stating that she had requested reviews in both sectors and acknowledged the frustrations of teachers. The strike marks a significant escalation in the dispute, following a two-hour work stoppage last month, which was the first strike action by ACT public school teachers in more than 15 years.

The joint statement from the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens highlighted various issues plaguing the education system, including “growing administrative burdens pulling teachers out of classrooms, a central office growing faster than schools, widening inequality between schools, rising occupational safety concerns, and inadequate support for students with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students”. They also criticized Berry’s handling of housing, referencing reports of mismanagement within Housing ACT.

In response to the censure, Berry expressed her commitment to addressing the concerns raised by teachers and emphasized her active role in negotiations with the union. She acknowledged the complexity of the discussions and the need for significant investment in schools to resolve the ongoing issues.