Paper Petition

The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House • At least 2,500 Queensland classrooms remain overcrowded despite repeated and ongoing lobbying from parents and teachers • That the current acceptable numbers for class sizes are based on a 1979 report despite several reports since outlining the benefits of lower class sizes • That the Government is failing to maintain adequate staffing levels and resources to assist with Behaviour Management Programmes. • That the Government proposes to place a teachers aide in the classroom when the teacher is absent, rather than a fully qualified relief teacher. • That the Governments continual refusal to deal with the above issues shows a total disregard for the best interests of our state schools, students and teachers.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to take seriously the issues put forward by Queensland teachers and parents and undertake to ensure the very best and safest education is available so as to enable our children to reach their full potential.