Australia’s major states are standing firm in their demand for increased funding in public schools, highlighting the potential economic benefits of fully financing the sector. Recent analysis indicates that investing in public education could yield returns up to four times greater than the current annual investment.
Education Minister Jason Clare recently presented a proposed school funding agreement, outlining the financial contributions from both federal and state governments towards the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). The SRS, established as part of Gonski reforms over a decade ago, sets a minimum funding level necessary to deliver quality education to students.
Despite Clare’s proposal for a 2.5% increase in federal funding towards public schools, several states including Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia have opted to hold out for a 5% increase before committing to the agreement.
While some territories have already signed on to the proposed funding model, others argue that current offers fall short of meeting student needs. Data from Acara reveals disparities in school funding levels between public and private institutions across Australia.
Negotiations between state and federal authorities continue as stakeholders seek equitable solutions for educational financing. With significant economic benefits projected from increased investment in public schools according to recent analysis by economist Jim Stanford, finding common ground on funding remains crucial for ensuring quality education for all students.
2024-10-08 17:00:02
Original from www.theguardian.com
