Funding Review Report to be Released in Early 2012

The Minister for School Education Peter Garrett has announced that the final report of the Gonski funding review will be delivered to the Federal Government this month and released after school returns in 2012.

Mr Garrett did not give a date for the release of the important report which follows the most comprehensive review of schools funding arrangements in over 30 years.

He said the findings of the review would help the Gillard Government develop a new school funding system that is “fair, transparent, based on the needs of schools and students, and delivers the best educational outcomes”.

“When it is released, the Government will set out the next steps in the process, including consultation with stakeholders and the community,” Mr Garrett said.

“The Government has committed to any new funding arrangements commencing from January 2014.”

AEU Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos said he expected the report to highlight the need for a far greater investment in public schools.

“We know from all the evidence and from the review’s interim conclusions that the schools funding system is broken and must be fixed,” he said.

“There needs to be a far greater federal investment in public schools. Currently they only receive one third of federal schools funding despite educating two thirds of students.

“I would urge all supporters of public school funding to stay involved in the campaign next year to ensure that it is clear to all politicians how important additional funding is and how valuable it would be for our school communities.

“There is no better investment for our future than in our public schools.”