Funds and teaching staff are being allocated under the government's Extension School program, even where schools have no enrolments in years 11 and 12.
Shadow Minister for Education Josh Willie said it's disturbing that scarce funds are being used to prop up the Liberal Government's political position.
"Documents received under Right to Information show there are schools allocated significant funds and teaching staff for courses that have few or no students enrolled.
"Schools with very low enrolments are receiving significant funding, often on a par with schools that have much higher enrolments.
"In some cases, schools are receiving $200,000 and extra teachers this year to educate two or three students. One school has been allocated $70,000 and extra teachers with no kids on the books.
"If schools are being significantly funded with low or no students it means students in other schools are missing out. Jeremy Rockliff needs to find a more equitable way to fund extension schools and he needs to be more transparent."
Mr Willie said there is a good story to tell about retention in some communities.
"It's clear that some school communities are doing well in keeping students connected with school to the end of year 12, improving their educational attainment and their job prospects.
"Retention has been trending up across the country for over a decade, with different policy settings under Labor and Liberal governments, and Jeremy Rockliff should be cautious about claiming credit for improvement.
"The increase in retention is welcome but it's more about the hard work of our schools, and the community understanding the benefit of completing education, than any specific policy of this government.
"The Labor Party won't be rolling back extension schools. They are here to stay but we will certainly hold the Liberal Government to account when it comes to transparency and student outcomes."
Josh Willie
Shadow Minister for Education
