Senators sat past midnight on Wednesday debating the Education Amendment Bill, a package that would rewrite how grant aid is distributed to managing authorities and cap class sizes at thirty-five pupils. The bill cleared its second reading by a margin of four votes after nine hours of argument.
“You cannot legislate a better classroom without funding the teacher standing in it.”
— Senator for the Opposition
Unions rally outside the chamber
Several hundred teachers assembled on the lawn of the National Assembly, calling for the salary adjustment clause to be restored to the text. Union negotiators said they had been briefed on the funding formula only days before the debate opened.
The bill now goes to committee, where amendments on the grant formula and the implementation timetable are expected before a third reading next month.
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