NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos has condemned the appalling levels of funding the Morrison Government is directing to public schools in NSW.
Latest figures from the Productivity Commission show total government funding to NSW non-government schools increased by 32 per cent while equivalent funding for NSW public schools increased by only 11.8 per cent between 2008-09 and 2017-18; almost three times as much.
Federation stated it is unacceptable that such increases in funding go to the non-government sector when 99 per cent of public schools nationally continue to be funded at less than the School Resource Standard (SRS).
Mr Gavrielatos said: “While 99 per cent of non-government schools will be funded above the SRS by 2023, public schools in NSW have no path to reaching 100 per cent of the School Resource Standard because of the Morrison Government’s policies and continuing special deals with the non-government sector.
“This is a question of fairness and equity and Morrison has turned his back on the majority of school children in this state.
“While enrolments in public schools in NSW are booming and parents are showing enormous support for their local public schools, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Education Minister Dan Tehan are failing in their responsibility to fund public schools.
“Our children deserve better. The case for a needs-based funding system for education has never been stronger. And yet the Liberals and the Nationals continue to ignore the need for fair funding for our public schools.”
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