Indigenous Education – Funding Comments Nonsense

“The spin put on the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement to change the basis on which remote Indigenous schools are categorised for funding purposes by some commentators is extraordinary nonsense” said Independent Education Union Federal Secretary Chris Watt.

“It is patently untrue to say that Aboriginal students in government schools have their funding capped at 70 per cent less than those in non-government schools.”

“In fact, not one student in a non-government school in the country receives more per capita funding than a student in a government school in that same state or territory”

“Added to that, the fact that Australia’s Aboriginal peoples remain at the bottom level of every economic, health and social indicator it is extraordinary that anyone would not welcome additional resources to begin to close the gap,” said Chris Watt.

“No single formula can ever hope to deal with the complex needs of school communities across this country and it has always been necessary and always will be necessary to make additional provision where need exists” he said.

“Clearly this will include schools like Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic School at Wadeye on the western edge of the Daly River Reserve in the Northern Territory.”

Contact

Chris Watt                                                       0419259143

Federal Secretary                                            02 6273 3107