Investment needed

AUSTRALIA – A new report finds that without urgent action Federal Government public school funding will be cut in real terms within three years based on current budget projections.

Reviewing the evidence: Issues in Commonwealth funding of government and non-government schools in the Howard and Rudd years by education policy and funding expert Dr Jim McMorrow recommends an immediate investment of at least $1.5 billion to restore federal public school funding to 1996 levels in order to ensure equality of opportunity.

Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president, Angelo Gavrielatos said it was time for the Rudd Government to give certainty to over two million public school students and their families.

“All the evidence tells us that public schools need more funding, not less, to ensure a high quality education for all children,” said Mr Gavrielatos.

“With greater investment, public schools could reduce class sizes, increase individual attention for students who need it and provide better and more modern facilities.

“Dr McMorrow’s report makes it clear that the policies of the Howard Government have created a system of gross inequity that if continued will result in a cut in real terms for the school system that educates the majority of Australian children.

“The drafting of new federal school funding legislation provides the opportunity to redress years of neglect. There will be no education revolution without a substantial funding increase for public schools.”