Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA)

Public advocacy to win political points

Since 1993 FRESCO has been regularly involved in developing strategies and undertaking public issues campaigns with the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA).

In general term these campaigns are conducted to contribute to benefits for members, or conversely, defend against erosion of position. However their role is pivotal in creating an environment for good quality public education, and this is a role they give voice to in most campaigns.

Among the many campaigns carried out by FRESCO, a notable one took place in election year, 2005. In that year it was apparent that the major political parties would be, once again, making ‘public education’ a big election issue and that the General Election outcome would be critical to the direction of future education policy, perhaps for years to come. As such it was deemed essential for PPTA to assert a voice in the debates on education that would ensue.

PPTA seized the opportunity to lead the education debate and to positively influence all parties’ policies by appealing directly to public opinion. This was mainly conducted through a series of large space press ads where there could be an opportunity to explain the issues and present background material. Dramatic and hard-hitting headlines and visuals grabbed the attention of readers with the copy leading inexorably to helping many readers form a view aligned to that of PPTA. Press was selected also because it is the ideal media environment for issues messages and a certain way of ensuring that politicians see the messages as well.

Successful campaigns have been planned and executed by FRESCO for issues ranging from classroom size, to rates of teacher pay, to school bullying.

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