Opportunity class (OC) places at Artarmon Public School will be slashed in half from next year.

The revelation of the Minn’s Laabor Government’s cut of 30 OC places at Artarmon Public were revealed in today’s Sydney Morning Herald and strongly condemned by the Member for Willoughby Tim James.

“The opportunity classes at Artarmon Public have for decades held a high reputation for delivering our children with a quality, high standard education with academic rigour,” Mr James said.

“Our community has greatly valued the exceptional learning and extension available in OC classes to enable our children to excel academically.”

“It’s extraordinary that this Labor Government has reduced the educational oppoartunities available to our local children. Giving our children the best start in life must be a priority.”

Currently Artarmon Public has four OC classes – two classes in both Years 5 and 6. Under the changes this would ultimately be reduced to one class in each year.

“The government should be investing in our education system and building up opportunity for all our children, not penny pinching from one community’s children to help another’s.”

“These places are being ripped from Artarmon and being moved to other areas in the state where the entry requirements will be lower.”

“The government must reverse this damaging announcement and guarantee that no presently eligible local student will miss out on a place in an OC stream or be forced to move out of the area to gain these valuable opportunities.”

“I have written to the Minister for Education Prue Car seeking an urgent briefing on these changes and the implications for the school and our community,” Mr James concluded.