The Territory Labor Government has secured a record, $5.7 billion funding agreement for NT schools, in a landmark new deal with the Federal Government.
The National School Reform Agreement and bilateral will see $2.3 billion of Commonwealth Government funding flow to Territory schools over six years, alongside a record, $3.4 billion investment in education from the Territory Labor Government.
As part of the deal, the Commonwealth is providing $78.5 million to accelerate school improvement, including working with the NT on priority reforms from the Gonski 2.0 report.
The Commonwealth will also support the Territory Labor Government to increase community-led schooling in remote communities, which is part of the Territorys local decision making agenda, boost schools emphasis on literacy and numeracy and improve pathways to secondary school for remote and very remote students.
The Northern Territory is the fourth state or territory to sign up to the National School Reform Agreement, following New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.
As stated by Minister for Education, Selena Uibo.
Children are at the centre of decisions made by the Territory Labor Government.
I have fought hard for Territory kids to get the best possible funding agreement from the Federal Government and to secure their support for reforms we know will make a difference to the lives of Territory students.
The Territory Labor Government will invest more money per student than any other Australian jurisdiction over this six year agreement. We have made a commitment to increase public school funding by an average of 4.8 per cent per year until 2023.
This year alone, we invested a record, $1.14 billion in education because it is one of the Territory Labor Governments highest priorities that every child reaches their full potential.
The previous CLP Government slashed $135 million from the education budget and sacked teachers and support staff.
This record, new six year investment in our schools will help repair that damage and help all of our Territory kids achieve bright futures, no matter where they live.
