WA: Slash HECS debts for country teachers: McGowan says

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2007
WA: Slash HECS debts for country teachers: McGowan says

Western Australia's Education Minister MARK MCGOWAN says teachers should be forgiven
some or all of their HECS debts .. if they work in the country.

Mr MCGOWAN says the federal government should consider the incentive for teaching graduates
.. who he says usually enter the workforce with a HECS debt of about 25 thousand dollars.

He says he's sent a proposal to his federal counterpart .. JULIE BISHOP .. proposing
a scheme to write off one year's worth of HECS debt .. for every year they work in the
country.

The minister says the cost of the scheme would be a drop in the ocean for the commonwealth
government.

The prime minister arrives in Perth today ahead of tomorrow's federal cabinet meeting
.. and is due to leave WA on Thursday.

JOHN HOWARD's set to announce details of a 181 million dollar education funding boost.

AAP RTV lk/tm/bart

KEYWORD: TEACHING WA (PERTH)

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