Don’t tolerate inadequate funding

By Angelo Gavrielatos

Federation continues to receive reports from schools experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the inadequate level of government funding.

The most recent reports of financial difficulties arise because of the additional burden placed on schools as a result of the introduction of new syllabuses.

The devolution of funding to schools was, and remains, part of a conservative government agenda aimed at abrogating responsibility at government level and devolving blame for funding shortfalls to the local level.

In the words submitted in evidence by the Department of Education and Training in the Industrial Relations Commission as part of Federation's salaries case: "Schools that consider they are facing financial hardship can apply for support to the School Financial Support Unit of the Department...a funding supplementation safety net exists if any school experiences financial difficulties."

Money allocated to schools intended for the current cohort of students and teachers should not be reallocated to cover the costs of other under-resourced programs within schools. The erosion of students' learning conditions and teacher working conditions cannot be tolerated.

Federation will support members in any school experiencing financial difficulty should the Department advise that supplementation will not be made available.

Angelo Gavrielatos is the Senior Vice President.

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February 2004 contents