May 06, 2010

Australian teachers lift NAPLAN boycott, says Education Minister Julia Gillard

CourierMail.com.au

TEACHERS have lifted their boycott on next week's numeracy and literacy tests following breakthrough talks between the Federal Government and the Australian Education Union.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the tests would proceed next week as planned "without any threat of interruption''.

The Queensland Teachers Union have also confirmed they will lift their ban.

QTU president Steve Ryan has maintained the boycott was a national issue, with their stance always taking that into consideration.

Australian Education Union president Angelos Gavrielatos said their decision to lift the boycott followed an offer by Education Minister Julia Gillard this morning to form a working party, including themselves, to provide advice on the use of student performance data on the My School website.

"Our focus has always been on trying to ensure that data is not misused in ways that are damaging to students and schools,'' he said.

"Across the country public school teachers have shown their willingness to take action to protect their students and that is something that should be applauded.

"In many cases it has been totally misrepresented as an opposition to accountability and transparency where is regrettable.''

Ms Gillard, who has maintained data on the My School website is information the public has a right to know, said the AEU's decision was "a sensible one''.

She said no information would be removed from the My School website.