TAFE teachers are reporting some campuses in the Hunter have been operating with broken-down lifts, and staff are buying their own paper to print lesson plans at home.
With classes starting up next week, there are concerns over campus safety, particularly for students with a disability at those campuses without working lifts.
Concerns have also been raised over TAFE funding levels amid reports from Hunter teachers that there is insufficient funding for basic supplies including paper. Some staff report having to print lesson plans at home, or bring their own printer paper.
TAFE in New South Wales has experienced reductions to funding in recent years, with 5,700 teacher jobs being cut, and over 72,000 fewer enrolments compared to last year.
Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery says the broken facilities and funding shortfalls in TAFE aren't up to community standards in the Hunter.
"The drift away from TAFE does not represent the community's attitude towards TAFE," she said.
"The community knows that in order to have a qualified tradesperson, to have facilities and courses with qualified teachers and staff, we need to make sure that we fund TAFE adequately."
Sonia Hornery has called on the Government to ensure there is sufficient funding for TAFE to fix what is being called a "maintenance backlog".
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| Glendale TAFE is one of the campuses within MP Sonia Hornery's electorate. Image: Hunter TAFE |
