Despite already making a financial commitment to the provision of quality education, parents and school communities will face the additional burden of financing the demand for new schools.
Independent Education Union of Australia Federal Secretary Chris Watt said the Gonski report had called for additional funding for capital works, arguing that the needs of all schools should be taken into account including the development of new schools and maintenance work in existing schools.
“This recommendation has been entirely ignored in the “Gonski” funding model put forward by the previous government,” Mr Watt said.
“Consequently there has been a massive shortfall in capital funds for all schools especially Catholic and independent schools.
“This is particularly problematic when considering the need for new schools in growth areas, and the role that the non-government sector will play in fulfilling that new demand.”
The IEUA continues to alert the Federal Government regarding a lack of capital funding provision in the new funding model.