THE NSW Teachers Federation was asking what the real cost of a slash-and-burn approach to positions and courses will be after an afternoon meeting with TAFE NSW Riverina Institute director, Kerry Penton.
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Yesterday, about 33 teachers launched a community campaign entitled "Stop the Cuts"; a reaction to stage three of the institute's review, which will see a potential loss of 23 jobs, the Higher School Certificate (HSC) course and a possible hiring freeze.
"Future students won't be able to complete their HSC at a TAFE Riverina institute," NSW Teachers Federation assistant general secretary, Maxine Sharkey, said.
"That has serious repercussions and is quite frankly outrageous."
Director Ms Penton has already said at least 12 teachers and 11 class support staff across the institute will be affected.
Other courses will grow in an effort to keep TAFE more financially viable.
TAFE NSW Riverina Institute building and construction teacher Peter Gregurke who has been teaching for the past 20 years said the cuts would affect course delivery and education outcomes.
"If the cuts have to be made then I would say 'ask the students' to see how we can best support them," Mr Gregurke said.
"A lot of students need face-to-face contact hours to learn and if we take that away then we'll just end up with a higher percentage of students who don't successfully complete their chosen course."
Prior to yesterday's meeting, Ms Penton has said the institute would work with staff around converting them to "permanent part-time employment, working across multiple locations, redeployment and redundancy."
United Services Union organiser Darren Wait said TAFE Riverina Institute would be poorer for the cuts, and feared the casualisation of the workforce.
"A thriving community of teachers makes for a thriving community of students," Mr Wait said.
The "Stop the Cuts" campaign will move on to Griffith next week.