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August 28th, 2013 
SCHOOL principals and classroom helpers in Western Australia are both considering strike action, after a day of protest brought little sympathy from the under-fire Barnett government.
The fallout from budget and job cuts across the state’s schools came to a head on Wednesday, with pleas and threats from both sides of the educational hierarchy.
Principals met to discuss their options after the WA government revealed 500 jobs would be cut from public schools, as well a freeze on hiring new teachers – only to be met with a call for them to “lighten up” by Premier Colin Barnett.
And education assistants put their case directly to Education Minister Peter Collier, who said the government would not change its mind on a new funding model it believes will deliver better value for money.
The State School Teachers’ Union ruled out a snap strike, but president Anne Gisborne said it was an option they would consider in the future.
“Our children are being betrayed by the worst attack we’ve ever seen on public education. We will not stand by and let the government rip the heart out of public education in this state,” Ms Gisborne said.
But Mr Barnett defended the government decisions.
“There are an excessive number of education assistants in the school system, and reforms needed to be made,” he said.
The opposition jumped on the dissent, revealing one principal claimed he would lose more than $280,000 from his school’s budget next year.
Stephen Yates, from Settlers Primary School in outer suburban Perth, told parents that would include $36,391 removed from a literacy and numeracy support program, and $198,768 cut from salaries.
And Rory Critchley, one of the education assistants who met Mr Collier, came away angry.
“It is incredibly frustrating. To present those ideas and to be told we are going ahead anyway is quite disgusting,” Mr Critchley said.
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