The event will be held at West Leagues Club at 6pm. NSW Teachers Federation president Maurie Mulheron will update the audience on the school funding situation, following the Gonski 2.0 announcement in June.

Candidates will then have three minutes to talk about their education policies, which will be followed by 15 minutes of question time.

Mr Mulheron was critical of former MP Barnaby Joyce, who is boycotting all public debates and forums.

“It’s disappointing that he doesn’t see education as an issue important enough to bother attending,” he said.

“I think he’s not turning up because it’s not a good news story.”

Oxley High School graduate and recent Q&A panel member, Geordie Brown, will also address the audience.

The candidates attending are Richard Stretton, Skyla Wagstaff, Jeff Madden, Tristam Smyth, Warwick Stacey, Dean Carter, Rob Taber, Pete Mailler, David Ewings, Peter Wills and Meow-Ludo Meow-Meow.

There will also be another forum held at Armidale Bowling Club on Wednesday, at 5.30pm.

Read more: Full list of New England’s 17 candidates