Caz Heise, independent candidate for the Cowper electorate, has released her Education and Training Policy calling for urgent reforms to ensure every child, student, and worker has access to quality education, from early childhood through to university and vocational training.

“Education is the foundation of our future - every child, no matter where they live or their background, should have access to a well-funded school, and the support they need to thrive,” Caz said.

Caz’s priorities for reform include:

• Fully funding public schools to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), ensuring every school has the resources they need to provide high-quality education.
  

• Additional funding for students with disability, to make sure every child gets the support they need to learn.
  

• Legislating Fee-Free TAFE, removing financial barriers to education and tackling workforce shortages in critical areas like teaching, healthcare, and trades.
  

• Expanding early childhood education, including universal public preschool and universal $10-a-day childcare and growing the early childhood workforce to ensure more families can access care.
  

• Fighting for expanded school breakfast and lunch programs, because no child should go hungry at school.
  

• Reforming HECS to reduce student debt, particularly for those entering high-need professions like teaching and healthcare.

Statements attributable to Caz Heise

Early Childhood Education

"Early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make in a child's future. It sets the foundation for learning, social development, and long-term success. Every child deserves access to high-quality early education, no matter their background."

Education Outcomes in Cowper

"In Cowper, too many students are being left behind. Nearly 30% of people don’t finish Year 12, and only 16.6% of residents hold a university degree, compared to 26.3% nationally. Meanwhile, NAPLAN results show one in three Australian students can’t read proficiently, and the electorate of Oxley - covering much of Cowper - has the third-lowest NAPLAN results in NSW. This is unacceptable (source). 

School & Skills Funding

"I welcome the Better & Fairer Schools Agreement to fully fund public schools in line with the Gonski model, as well as the National Skills Agreement, which commits $12.6 billion to vocational education and Fee-Free TAFE. But funding commitments mean nothing unless they are delivered in full - I will work to ensure our schools, students, and workers receive the support they deserve."

Supporting Teachers

"Teachers are overworked and undervalued. If we want great teachers in our classrooms, we need to treat them with respect - ensuring more time for lesson planning, expanding mentorship opportunities, and reducing the HECS burden for teaching degrees. More support for teachers means better outcomes for students."

HECS & Student Debt Reform

"The HECS system is broken. Right now, it penalises young people who are trying to establish themselves while also dealing with the rising cost of living. It disproportionately impacts those from lower-income backgrounds, while wealthier students often have their costs covered by family.

Shockingly, the government makes more money from HECS interest than from the entire offshore gas industry (Source). That’s outrageous. We need to ask ourselves - is HECS about building a skilled workforce or just another source of government revenue? It’s time for real reform."

School Meals & Nutrition

"No child should have to learn on an empty stomach. Poor diets are linked to attention difficulties, behavioural challenges, and lower academic performance. Expanding school meal programs would help reduce financial pressure on families and ensure every child gets the nutrition they need to learn and thrive."

Final comment

“There are over 80 primary schools, 20 secondary schools, several TAFE campuses, as well as Southern Cross and Charles Sturt University campuses in our electorate. I will work closely with all education providers - public, private, tertiary and early childcare to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.”