IEUA SUPPORTS FUNDING CERTAINTY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

“The recent report by Andrew Dowling from ACER argues that the arrangements for the funding of schools in Australia require urgent reform” said Chris Watt, Federal Secretary of the Independent Education Union of Australia.

“The IEUA has long supported the need to reform the current federal government SES funding model,” he said.

“The previous federal government’s approach to the funding of schools was not transparent and has produced a system which is seen by most as unfair and inequitable” said Mr Watt “and it is a tragedy that a proper and open review was not conducted by the Howard government in 2007”.

“Consequently, we are left in the situation where schools need certainty for the next funding period, our members deserve security in their employment and there is simply no time available to review and develop a better model of funding before the next funding period” he said

“Forty two billion dollars is on the table for school education for the 4 year period 2009 to 2012, and there is a sensible and appropriate commitment that no school will lose funding under a the new federal government.”

“Additionally Labor’s statement prior to the election made the important commitment that Federal Labor ‘will only make additions to schools funding not subtractions’ “

“There is opportunity to address areas of significant need in education such as rural and remote, indigenous and low SES background students, all identified in the recent benchmark results, through targeted funding programs in the next couple of years” said Mr Watt.

“The IEUA will lobby strongly to support resources for the most needy students in our communities”

“Because the current SES funding model has produced significant discrepancies in funding outcomes, the IEUA calls on the Federal Minister Julia Gillard to commit to a major review of the funding of schools during the 2009-2012 quadrennium  – a review which is open and transparent and which involves all education stakeholders” said Mr Watt

“The goal of such a review should be to ensure that Australia’s education systems are comprehensive and properly resourced to ensure that the MCEETYA Goals of Schooling are met, no matter where students live or which school they go to.”

“While teachers and students are being required to demonstrate they are meeting high benchmark standards of teaching and learning, governments must be able to demonstrate that the level of resources going to schools meet international benchmarks.  We look forward to Labor establishing a transparent review of Commonwealth funding in order to give clarity as to whether this is happening,” said Mr Watt

Contact:

Chris Watt

Federal Secretary Independent Education Union

Ph        (03) 9254 1830                    0419 259 143