Look after our public schools and TAFE colleges

By Maree O’Halloran

Federation is urging all political parties to promise significant increases in funding for public education. Education has emerged as a key issue in the lead up to the March state election. The State Labor Government still needs to demonstrate its support to public education by making funding announcements over the next few weeks. To date Labor's only announcements have been an increase to the capital works funding for public schools and a small pilot program about community service for students.

The State Coalition has announced good policies in the following areas: maintenance, ESL provision, school counsellors and pre-schools. However, the funding source for the Coalition's policies is questionable. Opposition leader Peter Debnam has said that 20,000 public service positions will be cut over four years. Such job losses are unacceptable and will inevitably affect service delivery.

The Greens have a strong policy platform in support of public education and continue to argue that government funding to the wealthiest private schools be cut. There are also a number of progressive independents who have provided strong support for public education.

At NSW Labor's election launch on February 18, Premier Morris Iemma announced an additional $280 million over four years for capital works in public schools. Any additional funding for public schools is obviously welcome. The problem for Mr Iemma is that the amount promised is too little and for projects which should be the business of government as a matter of course.

The chronic under-funding of public education by federal and state governments over so many years now means that significantly increased investment is required to ensure that our children and students are learning in schools and TAFE colleges equipped for the 21st century.

While the Premier's capital works announcement was small, it was welcome that education was given priority at the launch. The Premier chose water and education as the "big ticket" issues.

The NSW Labor Government has been notorious for re-announcing policies both under Premier Iemma, and Premier Carr before him. The State Government continues proudly to proclaim "record spending" in education. Teachers in public education have had enough of such rhetoric. We need governments to look after our schools and TAFE colleges. Teachers and parents are doing their share. Governments are not.

The Federal Coalition Government continues to make political mileage because the State Government has not dealt with the maintenance and infrastructure needs of public schools. Prime Minister John Howard announced on February 19 (the day after the Premier's launch) that the Federal Government would release an additional $181 million to the Investing in our Schools Program ($127 million to public schools). The relatively small announcement by Premier Iemma the day before opened the way for John Howard to make this intervention to trump State Labor.

Underneath all the politics is the stark reality that the Ministerial Council on Education, Training and Youth Affairs has calculated that public schools need an additional $2.9 billion across Australia. Both levels of governments must contribute to this increase.

The Federal Coalition Government has an $11 billion surplus and has been disproportionately increasing its direct funding to private schools.

The State Labor Government does not have surplus funds of any magnitude. However, the State Government could change its priorities to direct more funds to public education. For example more than $1 billion recurrent is spent by NSW on the following:

1. school student transport scheme -- at least $300 million of the $498 million is to transport students past their local public school
2. back to School Allowance -- $18.3 million
3. interest subsidies to private schools -- $56 million
4. funding to private schools -- $697.8 million

Maree O'Halloran is the President.

Federation's priority demands in the state election

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February 2007 contents