Call to support establishment of alternative schools
Independent candidate for the upcoming state election, Ms Gab McIntosh of Woy Woy, has called on Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch to publicly support the establishment of six small alternative schools on the Central Coast.
Members of the Indigenous Party of Australia rallied outside Ms Tesch's office last Monday to denounce the closure of Eagle Arts and Vocational College an alternative school for teenagers on the Central Coast.
"It was doing great work with school refusers," said Ms McIntosh.
"We need small schools that do education differently and we need parents, kids and teachers to be in charge of these schools, not the NSW Education Standards Authority."
She said they could shape them "in a way that works for our kids who might be outside the box".
Ms McIntosh said: "This is not yet another job to be handed over to our weary teaching staff at local schools.
"Rather it can be an opportunity to start small alternative schools with a fresh approach to education, to give desperate parents and caregivers some hope for their kids.
"Politicians of all colours very much underrate this need in the community.
"They do not see it as a vote-catcher but it certainly is," she said.
The group was also opposing the development of bushland at Kariong as a new housing development
"We were surprised by the number of people who want to save the Kariong sacred sites," said Aunty Colleen Fuller.
"These new sacred sites are in danger of being destroyed by the 60 proposed houses for Kariong.
"We call on Ms Tesch to denounce this development and show support for keeping our beautiful bush for all to enjoy," says Aunty Colleen.
SOURCE:
Media release, 21 Sep 2022
Gab McIntosh, Indigenous Party of Australia