Ei-iE

Public schools in Australia would receive $390 million less in funding in 2014 if the Australian federal and state governments fail to put in place the Gonski school funding reforms by the beginning of next year. This is according to a new budget analysis released by EI’s affiliate, the Australian Education Union (AEU).

The $390 million cut would be equivalent to more than 3,000 teacher positions, indicates the author of the analysis, Dr Jim McMorrow.

Ahead of a meeting on April 19, Prime Minister Julia Gillard is currently negotiating with the states to get an agreement on a $6.5 billion increase a year, in combined state and federal funding, by 2019. However, some states remain opposed to signing up to the agreement.

Defective funding system

Under the current school funding system, the federal government provides the majority of funding to private schools. Since its inception in 2002, the greatest increases in funding have gone to the wealthiest private schools.

“It is a funding system that is blind to the real needs of students”, said AEU Federal President, Angelo Gavrielatos

The AEU has been firmly campaigning to encourage the Government to legislate for a new funding model, which aims at ensuring every child has the same chance to receive a high quality education. The new model is based on the findings of the Gonski Review of Federal Schools funding.

I give a Gonski

Completed in December 2011, the Gonski Review was the most comprehensive review of schools’ funding in Australia in the last 40 years. It was commissioned by the Federal Government and conducted by an expert panel headed by senior businessman David Gonski.

Key findingsof the review showed that Australia was investing far too little in schools and the way money is distributed was not efficient, effective or fair.

The Gonski review also identified growing gaps in student achievement: Students in disadvantaged areas were up to three years behind those of the same age who live in wealthy areas. One in seven 15-year-old students did not have basic reading skills.

As a consequence, the review recommended a base level of funding for every student, with additional loadings for disadvantaged students.

Therefore, state schools would receive the full base amount from both state and federal governments, while the amount given to private schools would vary depending on the ability of parents to pay school fees.

Teachers won’t be silenced

As the AEU embarks on an intense two week campaign in the lead up to the critical meeting between the Prime Minister and state Premiers on April 19, Queensland Minister of Education, John-Paul Langbroek, which remains opposed to a new funding system, has announced that he may change workplace agreements to stop principals and teachers from campaigning.

“He is trying to silence teachers”, said Gavrielatos. “The weeks ahead are critical to achieving our long-time political objective of full, fair and equitable funding for education”, he added.

“Equality of opportunities and social inclusion require a significant and direct investment in public schools”, said EI President and AEU Federal Secretary, Susan Hopgood. “It is in the interests of our children, our communities and the future prosperity of the nation as a whole”.