National Gonski Week Launches in Sydney today

The campaign to stop the Abbott Government’s cuts to Gonski will be stepped up with the launch in Sydney today of National Gonski week.

The launch will take place at 11.30am at Rooty Hill High School with AEU Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos, NSW Teachers Federation President Maurie Mulheron, NSW Primary Principals’ Association President Geoff Scott and NSW Secondary Principals’ Council President Lila Mularczyk in attendance.

Mr Gavrielatos said that during the week (July 28 to August 3) teachers and principals will be holding events with parents and MPs across the nation to discuss the benefits of the Gonski funding and the planned Abbott cuts.

“Where it is being delivered, Gonski funding is making a real difference for students,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

“But it is only after six years of funding that all schools should be at a point where they have the resources required to give every child a high quality education.

“The Prime Minister doesn’t seem to care whether every child is properly educated. He has already decided to cut the last two years of Gonski funding without even knowing whether the funding will make a difference.

“That is a $1.2 billion cut in NSW alone where a signed six year Gonski agreement is in place between the Commonwealth and the NSW Government.

“As the NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has said, the cuts are a breach of faith with all school students in this state.

“The fact is, this funding is making a difference already and the full six years of funding will have a life-changing impact on kids across Australia.

“At Rooty Hill, where we are launching Gonski week today, there has already been significant improvements in the literacy of Year 7 students due to the strategies the school has put in place this year.”

Media Advisory

What: Launch of National Gonski Week 2014

Time: 11.30am today Monday July 28

Location: Rooty Hill High School, 54 North Parade, Rooty Hill

Contact: Ben Ruse 0437 971291