The Gonski Review clearly showed the current school funding system was broken and needed to be fixed.
However, Tony Abbott has rejected these reforms,
“We are happy to look at improvements to school funding and changes to the way these things work but the existing system is not broken.” Tony Abbott, The Australian 22 April
This goes directly against the Gonski Review. Mr Abbott believes we are better off fine-tuning the existing system. This will just not cut it.
Teachers and education support staff are doing a wonderful job with our children, but unfortunately the system is not supporting you as best it can. Educating our children is a rewarding and challenging profession and added support is needed.
With an extra $400m to be made available across all Tasmanian schools, we will see properly resourced schools, extra training for teachers and focused programs for students.
Labor's National Plan for School Improvement will establish a new, fairer, school funding model, based on the needs of individual students.
The new funding model includes a per student amount of $9,271 for primary students and $12,193 for secondary students.
Extra money on top of the per student amount, called ‘loadings’, will also be included. This is available for schools with students from low SES backgrounds, Indigenous students, students with disability, students with limited English skills, and small and remote schools.
The Labor education reforms are about helping every Australian child receive the best possible education.