The Australian Education Union today welcomed news that the NT and Federal Governments are committing to full funding of public schools and said the investment was urgently needed.
AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the current funding situation was shameful with NT public schools receiving the lowest proportion of Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) funding, despite having the highest levels of student need.
“This funding is long overdue and will change lives in the NT. The bulk of the funding must be delivered well before 2029because we know that teachers and students need resources now,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“The Albanese Government’s commitment to provide 40% of the SRS funding for the NT is a just recognition of its superior revenue raising capacity and its responsibility to ensure every child across the nation gets the support they need to succeed.
“The Prime Minister must also ensure that the bilateral agreement signed this year removes the loophole in the current agreement that allows the NT to artificially inflate its SRS share by 4% by including non-school costs such as capital depreciation.
“That Morrison-era loophole is denying NT public schools $40 million a year and Labor was it would eliminate it from future agreements.
“Public schools need full not fake funding.”
AEU NT branch president Michelle Ayres said full funding would make a huge difference across the NT.
“Funding NT schools at 100% of the SRS means extra support for students with complex needs and those at risk of falling behind, more teachers, counsellors, support staff and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education workers,” she said.
“We urgently need this investment to help every child in the NT succeed and we commend the NT and Federal governments fortaking the lead to deliver full funding.”
Ms Haythorpe said the Albanese Government needed to now lift its funding offer to Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, NSW and South Australia from 22.5% of the SRS to 25% to ensure they reach 100% of the SRS by 2028, at the latest.
“Public schools also need Federal Government capital funding. Across the nation, private schools will get $1 billion in extra capital funding over four years but public schools will get nothing after this year unless the Prime Minister steps up,” she said.
Ms Haythorpe said an convened by education ministers in December reported that there was an “urgent and critical” need for full funding of public schools and it was the first step towards ensuring all students receive the support they need. The panel said full funding must be delivered across the country “within a comparable timeline”.
