REGION - School was out for the majority of Fleurieu Peninsula and Southern Vales public schools last Thursday morning. The half-day closure was part of the rolling strikes throughout the state last week.
About 45 teachers from Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Goolwa, Strathalbyn, Christies Beach, Willunga, and Mount Compass schools rallied in front of the Member for Finniss, Michael Pengilly's Victor Harbor office in protest of proposed teaching conditions.
The Australian Education Union's (AEU) Ken Case claims a number of Fleurieu schools will be worse off under the state government's proposed Student Centred Resource Funding Model.
"Very few schools in the district will gain funds … in fact the vast majority of schools in the area will lose funds," Mr Case said.
"This model will hit small schools, country schools, and those with a high student turnover, so schools in this area will be affected," fellow union organiser Daniel Pereira said.
Based on 2006 enrolments, the AEU claims schools in Mt Compass, Myponga, Rapid Bay, Victor Harbor, Willunga, McLaren Vale and McLaren Flat will be among those to lose funds.
Victor Harbor High School, in particular, is estimated to lose $200,000 in funds.
Teachers are currently allocated at a ratio of 30 students to one teacher and two teachers for 31 students in accordance with the Staff Allocation Document 1999. However, under the new model, nominal funding would be allocated for each student enrolled.
"Under this new model, a school would need the funding from about 15 extra students before a new class can be made," Mr Case said.
"Schools would therefore have to distribute 14 students among existing classes, which would see class sizes increase dramatically."
While the union is demanding higher pay, several local teachers believe the community also needs to be aware of the potential threats to public education.
"Payment is an issue … (but) we are concerned about the future state of schools in terms of class sizes, the lack of funding and the possible loss of librarians," Victor Harbor R-7 School teacher Jayne Reilly said.
"If the schools lose funding, some brilliant programs could go to the wayside, which would be quite sad," fellow teacher Jessie Coleman said.
Deidre Solly of Port Elliot Kindergarten was concerned pre-schools would lose their directors and become the responsibility of school principals, who may not be familiar with the needs of pre-schoolers.
As well as additional funding to reduce class sizes, the union is seeking a pay rise for teachers of 21 per cent over three years.
The State Government is offering 9.75 per cent.
The teachers at the rally committed to continue industrial action if the government fails to deliver an appropriate offer.
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