The Independent Education Union is challenging the Australian Government to increase funding in school education to meet, and beat OECD education funding levels and make Australia a world leader in education.
The IEU endorses the NSW Government’s submission to the School Funding Review which clearly calls on the Australian Government to meet OECD levels of 4.2%.
Federal Secretary of the IEU, Mr Chris Watt said it is the view of the IEU and teachers to increase funding to all schools across Australia to get our investment in school education up to and above OECD standards.
“It is especially important to be recognising the need to increase resources to help any school which caters for students with disadvantage, disability and higher needs.
“The NSW Government, and Minister Piccoli are right to be calling for greater investment in education to get Australia up to OECD standards, but the IEU believes that Australia should strive to be the best in the world when it comes to quality of education, not just the average.
“Not even meeting the OECD average in education funding is just good enough for a country as well off as Australia, and Education Minister Peter Garrett and the Prime Minister need to use the Gonski review into school funding to increase school funding for all schools.
“Australia is in the middle of a mining boom and surely we can afford to put some of this increased revenue into ensuring that no school is worse off.
“It is a simple equation that an increase in funding for school education would mean a boost to the Australian economy and lead to better prospects for our nation’s future.
“Teachers, parents, and schools want the Australian Government to increase their investment in schools, and we know all sectors have an important role to play in educating our kids.
“The education funding debate needs to be about ensuring that every school in Australia ends up with more funding,” said Mr Watt.
Media Contact: Evan Langdon 0429 020 409 or elangdon@ieu.org.au