The Independent Education Union of Australia is extremely concerned about the Commission of Audit recommendations on Education Funding.
“The recommendation to devolve the responsibility of funding of Catholic and Independent schools to the states and territories, with no safeguards or clear directives, threatens certainty within the sector and the ability of teachers, administrators and employers to plan and deliver effective, quality education,” said Federal Secretary Chris Watt.
“The lack of understanding revealed by the authors of this report into how the education sector actually works is astounding,” said Federal Secretary Chris Watt.
“It is unclear how the needs of early childhood students, indigenous students and special needs students will be met by a new funding arrangement” he said.
“As well, a simple weighted average of consumer price and wage price indexation as suggested by the Commission of Audit will not support schools in meeting rising costs”
“Education, like health, has its own inflation index, which the report has simplistically ignored. If these recommendations are enacted without suitable safeguards they will deliver a funding shortfall in real terms,” he said.
The IEUA shares the concerns of the Independent Schools Council of Australia and the National Catholic Education Commission.
The IEUA seeks a commitment from the Federal Government that appropriate consultation with all relevant parties will occur to explore any new funding arrangement for Catholic and independent schools in Australia.