An open letter to the Prime Minister calling for the full funding of public schools by 2028 at the latest has been signed by more than fifty organisations including principal, parent, disability and community groups and unions.
The letter, published in major newspapers across the country today, says it is unacceptable that only 1.3% of public schools are funded at the minimum level governments agreed was necessary more than a decade ago.
“Our children deserve a better and fairer education system. Fully funding public schools is a precondition to achieving that,” the letter states.
The publication of the letter comes at the same time as tens of thousands of postcards to the Prime Minister are delivered in Canberra today.
The postcards, calling for full funding, were collected during a national For Every Child road trip.
Campaign teams were on the road in specially branded vehicles in every state and territory talking to parents, teachers and community members and collecting the postcards.
A convoy of the campaign vehicles drove into Canberra yesterday after four weeks on the road in every state and territory.
Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the open letter and postcards showed there was a groundswell of support for full funding of public schools.
“Teachers, parents, principals, support staff, disability organisations, unions and community groups are united in saying this is a vital investment in our future that cannot be further delayed,” she said.
“The Prime Minister promised to work with State and Territory governments to deliver full funding and this must happen by 2028 at the latest with all public schools funded to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS).
“Full funding of public schools is the only way to ensure every child gets every opportunity to succeed. This investment will give teachers more time and support to meet the diverse and complex needs of their students.
“Closing the resources gap is an essential part of closing unacceptable achievement gaps between children from different backgrounds and it is public schools that educate the vast majority of children with higher needs.
The Albanese Government is due to start negotiations with State and Territory governments over the future funding of every public school in the next few months.
Bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and every state and territory government must be signed next year with additional funding expected to be delivered from the start of 2025.
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