The Australian Education Union Victorian Branch is urgently calling on both state and federal governments to stand up for students and educators in public schools in 2024 and fulfill their promises to deliver full funding for all public schools.
It has been revealed that bilateral agreements between Federal, State and Territory governments were signed without being publicly announced last year, extending them for the 2024 school year and effectively negating any increase to the Commonwealth’s share of Schooling Resource Funding until 2025.
The Victorian agreement provides no increased funding for public schools in 2024. Both the State and Federal Government contributions remain the same as 2023.
The news also coincides with State Treasurer Tim Pallas’ comments today that more funding could be cut from education in the upcoming State Budget, today flagging that expenditure for crucial teacher tutors could be scrapped.
“It is extremely alarming that on the eve of new negotiations for a school funding agreement, Treasurer Tim Pallas is suggesting cutting education funding, when the sector is in dire need of more investment to assist those who need it most.“
AEU Victorian Branch President Meredith Peace said it was unacceptable for state and federal governments to continue to deny Victorian public schools full funding, and that the lack of action was incredibly frustrating for all teachers, principals and support staff who are already struggling with a lack of funding.
“For our education ministers to sign agreements that deliver no increase to the Commonwealth share of Schooling Resource Standard funding is deeply disappointing, particularly when our own state government has provided no indication of increasing their own share of funding,” Ms Peace said.
“Victoria remains the lowest SRS funded state in Australia at just 90.45%, with the Commonwealth only contributing to 20% of this amount. As a comparison, private schools in Victoria are funded to 102.1% of the SRS – with the Commonwealth providing 82.1% of that share.
“The challenges that public schools are facing are becoming increasingly complex, and our educators are being let down by governments full of rhetoric but consistently failing to act on their promises to deliver full SRS funding.
“Victorian teachers are working as hard they can to deliver the best possible outcomes for students, but their workloads are becoming increasingly unsustainable, and the teacher shortage crisis continues to exacerbate these problems.
“Fixing these issues and levelling the playing field for public school students and staff starts with fixing funding, and we must see action from governments to make this happen. We call on the Albanese government to come to the table and commit to increasing the Commonwealth’s share of SRS funding from 20% to at least 25%.
“Additionally, it is crucial that Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Education Ben Carroll act to lift Victoria’s SRS share above the inadequate current amount of 70.45% and demonstrate a commitment towards improving the outcomes of all those within the state education system,” Ms Peace said.
MEDIA CONTACT: WILL BREWSTER – 0458 809 472
23 January 2024