A new report into school capital works and infrastructure funding highlights the federal government’s failure to adequately fund Victorian public schools, says the Australian Education Union Victorian branch.
The Ending the Capital Funding Divide in Australia’s Schools report, released by the AEU federal office, shows that average annual capital investment per student between 2012–2021 was $1,004 for public school students compared to $2,631 for private school students.
Public schools received 38.2% of the private school capital investment during that same period.
The report calls for a $1.25 billion Commonwealth funding injection into public schools to make up for the fact there has been no ongoing capital works funding from the Commonwealth since 2017, when it was cut off by the former Liberal/National Coalition government.
AEU Victoria president Meredith Peace said the report showcased a staggering and unacceptable equity divide in the Australian school system, and called on the federal Albanese government to urgently address the issue.
“Making our education system fairer starts with ensuring that all Victorian public schools are fully funded, and it’s clear the federal government haven’t yet fulfilled their promise to level the playing field for all students,” Ms Peace said.
“Both the Commonwealth and the state governments have a responsibility to ensure all students have access to modern, up-to-date, and appropriate learning spaces and facilities.
“But, right now, the Commonwealth continues to provide capital spending for private schools who build unnecessary and lavish facilities while public schools can struggle with a lack of adequate classrooms and learning spaces available to them.
“It is not acceptable that the Victorian government is left to do the heavy lifting and to make up the shortfall. This is a major infrastructure divide that the Prime Minister needs to urgently address.
“We call on Prime Minister Albanese to live up to his pledge to fully fund public schools, and re-establish a permanent dedicated fund for public school capital works.
“To achieve funding justice for public schools we need the Victorian and Commonwealth governments to ensure that the new bilateral funding agreements, which are to be signed this year, include both capital and recurrent funding for public schools to address this growing divide. They need to act now to guarantee that every student gets the support they need.”
MEDIA CONTACT: ALYS GAGNON – 0438 379 977
23 February 2024