NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo highlights missing details on CLP education plans

As legislation passes to imprison primary school students and search their high school peers for weapons, Territory Labor has questioned the depth of the CLP’s plan for education.

NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo. Picture: Fia Walsh.

As legislation passes to imprison primary school students and search their high school peers for weapons, Territory Labor has questioned the depth of the CLP’s plan for education.

Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said the new government had “forgotten” about the critical sector during its first fortnight of sittings.

Ms Uibo said one of the CLP’s election promises was addressing the “root causes of crime” which needed to include education investment.

She said newly-minted Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey in sittings confirmed the CLP would honour the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, but had yet to clarify how the Agreement’s conditions would be met.

Signed in July, the landmark agreement promises to fully resource NT schools for the first time in the region’s history – but only if its recommendations are met.

“We believe that the future of the Territory can only improve if we’re going to invest in our kids,” she said.

“We are calling on all sides of the parliament today – regardless of our political allegiances – to ensure that we put Territory kids first.”

Ms Uibo also said she was concerned whether the CLP would meet the recommendations of the Secondary Schools Review.

In particular, she was concerned Territorians were being left in the dark regarding the possibility of middle school closures.

“We want them to be very upfront with Territory teachers and Territory kids around this particular decision and when they will make that decision,” she said.

Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey said the Territory’s kids were the future.

“We fully support comprehensive year 7-12 schooling given Labor’s model of dedicated middle schools failed after 20 years,” she said.

“Changes will occur to the current middle school model during 2025, which means no changes for students or families in 2025.

“An implementation plan will be shared with schools and stakeholders, including timelines and key actions, in late 2024.

“The new CLP Government will work with the Federal Government to ensure that the Better and Fairer Schools Deal is delivered.

“We will also ensure qualified school counsellors are based in schools, and properly resourced, not in the Mitchell centre where they are not easily accessible.

“On site school-based counsellors are critical for our students.”