Media Release – Monday 17 October 2011
Friday’s meeting of Australian Education Ministers has missed a clear opportunity to ensure that the implementation of the new model measures the actual resources needed to properly educate students with disabilities, according to the union representing 70,000 workers in non-government schools.
Evidence and support to implement a policy to do more for students with a disability is abundant and clear. The Prime Minister earlier this month said: “We as a nation can do better for kids with disabilities and we should do better.” (3 October 2011)
In the Australian Council for Education (ACER) report (Page xvi), ‘Assessment of current processes for targeting of schools funding to disadvantaged students’, commissioned for the Gonski Review into school funding, said in respect of students with disabilities: “… educational systems were still largely failing these students, and more resourcing, support for teachers and further teacher education was required.”
Federal Secretary of the IEU, Mr Chris Watt said the IEU submission to the Gonski Review called for full funding of non-government schools for students with a disability and we have long argued that the real needs of these students learning needs should be fully met.
“The PM was right to say that we can do better and we should do better, and the actual resource needs of schools need to be measured right now,” said Mr Watt.
“We have welcomed the extra investments the Australian Government has put into helping provide disability services into schools, but there is so much more to do.
“Currently there is a substantial shortfall in the level of resources and support available for disabled children in non-government schools compared to the government sector as a consequence of funding decisions.
“We hope that this implementation of a new model and the Gonski review will result in a much better and fairer deal for these students,” said Mr Watt.
Media Contact: Evan Langdon 0429 020 409 or elangdon@ieu.org.au