Abbott would cut public school funding share

The election of an Abbott Government would see windfall funding increases for
private schools and a cut in the share of money going to public schools, new
research has revealed.

Undertaken by funding expert, Dr Jim McMorrow, the research found private schools
would get a $2.3 billion increase in Commonwealth general recurrent funding
between 2012 and 2016 – enough to pay for 8,300 new teachers.

That would be almost four times higher than the increase for public schools
($652 million or 1,670 teachers).

This funding disparity, combined with cuts to education programs worth $3.1 billion
that have been announced by the Coalition, would see the public school share of
funding fall to 34 percent and below.

AEU Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos said the research was commissioned
after the Coalition announced it would keep the discredited SES funding model for
schools for another four years (2013-2016).

"This research shows that by 2016 private schools would be getting $9.5 billion in
Commonwealth general recurrent funding a year, compared to $3.1 billion for public
schools," he said.

"The Labor Government has begun a much-needed review of this flawed school
funding system which puts private schools first and funds schools regardless of their
income or resources.

"But the Coalition has pledged to not only keep this flawed funding system but to
enhance it. It is clear from this research that an Abbott Government would widen the
resources gap between public and private schools.

"Under Tony Abbott public schools which teach more than two thirds of students
would receive only one third of the funding. The needs of public school students
would again be ignored.

"It is clear Mr Abbott wants to privatise education. Along with delivering windfall
increases to private schools, he plans to make their fees tax deductible and make
cuts worth $3.1 billion in education that will disproportionately affect public schools."

The McMorrow report warns that continuing the current funding system beyond 2012
will "extend the inequities and injustices that are embedded in its structure and
operations".

Source: AEU Media Release