Public school students let down

SYDNEY: The Australian Education Union (AEU) hs expressed bitter disappointment at Labor’s decision to break its promise to introduce a new school funding system before the 2013 election.
AEU federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said it was clear Labor had caved in to pressure from private schools and put their interests before those of the two thirds of students who attend public schools.
“The decision to delay until 2014 the start of a new funding system means Labor will not have changed in almost seven years a system which they have repeatedly acknowledged is flawed and failing to deliver for all children,” Mr Gavrielatos said.
“This funding system, introduced by the Howard government, delivers only one third of federal funding to public schools which teach two thirds of students. The private schools that get the most funding are the richest in the nation.
“It is a funding system that is biased against public schools and blind to the real needs of students, families and teachers.
“Even with the unprecedented school rebuilding programme, Labor will still have delivered AU$12 billion  (NZ$14.5b) more to private schools than public schools by 2013.
“Private schools are funded regardless of their wealth, income or the real needs of their students. The system is so corrupted by political deals, half the private schools receive more than they are entitled to.
“That alone costs taxpayers AU$800 million (NZ$990m) a year. It is this corrupted funding system, which extends privilege not opportunity, that private schools have fought so hard to keep.
“It is now clear that neither Labor nor the Coalition will change this funding system before the 2013 election.
“The Coalition has promised to keep this school funding system intact until 2016 and to cut AU$3 billion (NZ$3.7b) from the education budget.
“Australians need a government that will put public schools first,” Mr Gavrielatos said.