National testing shows public schools need resourcing

AUSTRALIA – Public schools need significant additional funding from the Federal Government to address areas of need identified by the results of national testing of years three, five, seven and nine students, released recently.

Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said attention must now focus on assisting those children who are not meeting minimum standards.

“We welcome the fact that the overwhelming majority of students are meeting or exceeding minimum standards,” said Mr Gavrielatos.

“But the question for everyone today is what are we going to do to assist those children who are not meeting minimum standards?

“How are we going to make sure their schools have the resources they need to give struggling children more individual attention, specialist literacy and numeracy programmes, and early intervention?

“Governments must properly resource and support schools and teachers to lift overall student performance and ensure no child is left behind.

“The latest OECD figures rank Australia second last in terms of direct public expenditure on public education.”