Teachers 'attack' Parliament House

Newspaper reports imminent industrial action (www.couriermail.com.au)

Brisbane, 19 May - It is not unusual for a developed country such as Australia, the advocates of humans rights to experience this kinds of discomfort. The one day strike affects 1300 state schools across Queensland involving 37,000 teachers. According to QTU (Teachers' union), more strikes are on the card if the government rejects their demand for a better pay rise (Bligh's goverment is willing to rise their wages for a total of 12.5 % for the next 3 years which they noncalantly rejected!)

Just two weeks ago, simliar 'uproar' were taking placing in front of the this famous Parliament House located in downtown Brisbane. Abortion and anti-abortion campaigners were in full force to promote their campaigns separately at the same place fighting on conflicting causes, of course. it is not clear how the two opposing ideologies fare well in Bligh's government minute sheets as it appears more pressing issues need to be addressed in light of the economic hardship facing Australia and the 'new' issues are surely going down in the pecking order.

It couldnt come at the worse time then when the Austalia's government is still reeling from the effect of A58billion budget deficit announced last week in Canberra. For QUT students especially who have never seen or encountered such incident were taken by surprise.

Since parliament House is situated on the right hand side at the entrance of QUT, it is everybody's guess that you can't take your eyes off the scene! Read the news what is the fuss all about by following the link below:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25503953-3102,00.html

The strike affect all state school (primary and high schools)nationwide,including international students. Credit must be given to government's public relations as the forthcoming strike is well-informed in advance. However, parents are caught off guard and most of them are unable to apply for an emergency leave due to time contraints (government and corporate sectors have different set of rules for leave application). Parents were notified by letters advising them either to send their children to school on strike day or stay at home. If they persist choose the former, their kids will be under the care of 'support teachers' at schools.

Why would parents insist to send their kids to school?. The same newspaper elicits productivity aspect as the main factor.Working parents have no one to take care of their kids at home if they choose not to send their kids to school. Where's the logic?If the strike takes place, the working parents have no choice but to be with their children at home and as a result, it indirectly affects their quality of work at office! Of course, the next of kins or frens could help the working parents to look after their children but are not enough to cover the shortfalls in the quality of work.

Translating the scenario into our perspective, irrespective of what causes it to happen either a government order or other 'sound' reasons, would we willingly send our kids to school or let them stay at home? the choice is yours.