UNITED STAND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING
A historic coalition of Education Ministers from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory has joined the Australian Education Union (AEU) Federal President, Correna Haythorpe, State Presidents, Public Education Association leaders, public school principals, teachers, parents and students, at Parliament House in Canberra to fight for full funding of public schools.
Today in united action, the AEU, Education Ministers, public school parents and students call on the Albanese Government to commit to their promise of full funding for every child in Australia by increasing the Federal Government’s offer (Schooling Resource Standard SRS share) from 22.5% to 25%. It is this commitment that is needed to close the inequality gaps experienced by Australia’s students. This investment is vital to support the high-quality teaching workforce that gives so much to public education every day.
Australian Education Union Federal President, Correna Haythorpe said the joining of forces is a momentous event in the For Every Child campaign and signals the significance and urgency of full funding for public schools.
“This is the moment in history that the Albanese Government can finally deliver on the promise, made over a decade ago to Australia’s public school students, that their schools and their education would be fully funded. ”
“We are joined today by senior secondary students who are part of the generation that has been denied full funding for their schools. We are also joined by teachers and parents, who will tell their stories of why full funding matters for public schools and why it is life changing for students and their communities” said Correna Haythorpe, AEU Federal President.
“We will be distributing a book of stories from the field, from teachers, parents and community members to all Federal Parliamentarians, because they need to hear why this is important firsthand and that is why we have installed a giant story book at Parliament House.”
It comes as two states, NSW and Victoria, take their campaign directly to Labor MPs, writing to remind them that education is a cornerstone of Labor values.
Letters from NSW and Victoria’s Education Ministers, The Hon Prue Car and The Hon Ben Carroll, were sent to over 50 MPs and Senators this week urging them to increase their contribution.
Quotes attributable to NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car:
"We are currently facing a 5% funding gap which puts NSW public school students $1000 behind the starting line. Education is a cornerstone of Labor Governments, and it should be delivered equitably, with no child left behind.”
“We think it is important that every member of Parliament has all the facts in front of them and that is why we have written to them and why I am here in Canberra to get that message across.
“I can't look parents and students in the eye unless I can say that I have done everything I can to get the best possible deal for our kids.
“I will not sign any agreement that shortchanges NSW public schools.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Ben Carroll:
"We are in Canberra asking the Commonwealth Government to rethink their priorities and deliver fair and full funding for Victorian Government school students."
“The Commonwealth's proposal will leave public school students $1,000 worse off every year - we’re standing with our state colleagues to fight for a better deal that won’t leave Government school students and staff behind."
South Australia’s Education Minister, The Hon Blair Boyer and Queensland’s Education Minister, Di Farmer have also joined the fight.
Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer:
“State and Territory Governments run schools and are best positioned to determine what families, students and teachers need in classrooms.
“That’s why I’m here in Canberra - to stand with my colleagues advocating for public school funding.
In South Australia, the five per cent is worth as much as $190m of extra funding for public schools every single year. That would go directly into school supports so that teachers have the time, resources and support to help students achieve the best academic outcomes.”
Quotes Attributable to Queensland Minister for Education, Di Farmer:
“It is time for the Federal Government to step up and stop short-changing Queensland schools.
“All we are asking is for them to deliver their fair share for all of Queensland.
“Their current offer means that every state school student will get $1000 less, on average, spent on them, than they would if the Federal Government met its obligations.
“The Queensland Government is already committed to providing 75% of that funding which is on top of our already significant contribution to state education including more than $1 billion on infrastructure, Free Kindy, Student Wellbeing Program, GPs in Schools and a Youth Engagement Reform package.
Quotes Attributable to Australian Capital Territory Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry
“I want to welcome my state and territory counterparts to Canberra, I’m proud to stand with them as we lobby the Federal Government for a better deal for our school students.”
“I encourage the Federal Labor Government to come to the table. A high-quality and well-funded public education system should be a core mission for every Labor Government.”
ENDS
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