Today's so-called "deal" between the federal and WA Labor governments on school funding looks more like a stitch-up for public school kids than an end to the inequality crisis in our schools, the Australian Greens say.
As stated by Greens spokesperson on Education (Primary & Secondary), Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
"There is no new deal for full funding of public schools in WA, or anywhere else in the country for that matter.
"What's been announced today is an agreement to make an agreement to keep public schools underfunded into the future.
"States and territories are able to claim 4% in non-school costs as part of their contribution to public school funding. That means that even if this deal-to-make-a-deal produces actual funding reforms, the WA school system will only receive 96% of its bare minimum funding.
"If this is the model that the federal education minister is looking to roll out to the rest of the country then Labor is leaving 2.5 million public school kids short changed. Again.
"To fix the teacher shortage crisis, ensure all schools have the resources they need, and end schooling inequality, Labor must deliver 100% full SRS funding to all public schools by the start of the next National School Reform Agreement, in January 2025."
