Garrett says current funding formula letting down public school kids
13 December 2011
The AEU has welcomed Education Minister Peter Garrett's recent comments that the current funding system is "letting down some of our kids", particularly those in public schools.
"We are also heartened by his commitment to legislate the new funding formula next year," said AEU branch president Mary Bluett.
Garrett said that Australia needs a ''game-changing approach'' to the way schools are funded, and that the nation should be prepared to have a "mature discussion" about change.
His comments anticipate the federal Review of Funding for Schooling, headed by David Gonski, which is due to hand down its findings within the next fortnight. It is the first time since 1973 that funding arrangements for all schools have been reviewed.
"We are in a position where we can look at a game-changing approach to the way in which we fund schools in Australia and if Mr Gonski's panel makes recommendations, we will take very strong note of that," Garrett said.
The AEU, along with parents, teachers and principals across Australia, have run an active campaign in support of fairer funding for public education. The union remains optimistic that the Gonski review will propose a shift of funds towards our most disadvantaged students, who largely attend public schools.
"The funding review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put in place fairer funding arrangements," AEU federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said.
"The existing federal funding system is everything that it shouldn't be. It is inequitable and unsustainable and fails to deliver an adequate share of resources to public schools."
The new funding formula is expected to be legislated next year, and take effect from 2014.
