The IEUA calls for the immediate passage of the Schools Assistance Bill 2008 and the Education Legislation Bill 2008 through Parliament.
The Government’s decision to continue the current Commonwealth funding arrangements over the 2009 to 2012 quadrennium through these Bills ensures stability, continuity and certainty for non-government schools, staff, students and their parents during uncertain economic times.
Funding Review
The IEUA believes that while there are genuine concerns regarding the current federal funding arrangements, a transparent and open review must take place in a timely, co-operative process, in a financially secured environment.
The goal of such a review should be to ensure that Australia’s education systems are comprehensive and properly resourced to ensure that the MCEETYA Goals of Schooling are met, no matter where students live or which school they attend.
It is imperative that such a review be comprehensive and properly detailed and not build on a simplistic notion of redistributing existing funds.
Such a comprehensive review resulting in a better model of funding can not be achieved before the new year.
The IEUA welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s preparedness to undertake a review of funding arrangements during the next four years and seeks to be active participants in the process.
Quality of Education
The Commonwealth’s funding policy for the operation of non-government schools affects the quality of educational provisions to students and the professional and the industrial lives of staff in non-government schools.
Schools Assistance Bill 2008 and the Education Legislation Bill are the fundamental component of the salaries and conditions for teachers and support staff employed in the non-government sector.
It is imperative that the legislation pass through Parliament before the end of the year.