The South Australian Branch of the Australian Education Union (AEU) welcomes Labor’s pledge to invest an additional $14.1 billion into public schools over the next decade, if they win the next election.
This announcement will mean that funding cuts initiated by the Liberal Government will be reversed and much needed resourcing will make its way back into public schools, thus honouring Labor’s 2013 funding commitment.
SA Branch President, Howard Spreadbury, said that "This funding promise will see vital funds redirected back into public schools, where they are most needed."
"For South Australian public schools, this will mean being able to implement life-changing learning support programs, focus on early intervention strategies based on student need, employ additional specialist teachers and support staff and enrich the learning experiences of every student." Mr Spreadbury continued. "It will mean funding real stability and certainty in the long-term, which is something schools are desperately calling for."
Labor’s school funding announcement is in stark contrast to Scott Morrison’s recent $4.6 billion special deal with catholic and independent schools that would see public schools no better off.
"This is a matter of equity and we need a commitment from all politicians to support public schools, reverse the cuts and remove the arbitrary barriers that will prevent public schools from being resourced properly." said Mr Spreadbury, claiming that to be amongst the objectives of the union’s federal Fair Funding Now! campaign.
"AEU members and public education supporters have been working tirelessly over recent months in support of fair school funding and we will continue to campaign in the lead up to the next federal election."
