Gonski 2.0: Education funding reforms will mean schools are $73b better off over decade

NSW schools will receive an extra $73 billion over the next decade under the Turnbull government’s reforms, according to figures ­obtained by The Daily ­Telegraph.

• Catholic Education will fight Gonski 2.0
• Our 24 most -over-funded schools

A TOTAL of $73 billion will flow to schools across NSW over the next decade under the Turnbull government’s education reforms, according to exclusive Budget figures ­obtained by The Daily ­Telegraph.

And the figures reveal how scores of schools across Sydney­’s west will end up with millions of dollars more in funding. For example, Chifley­ College in Mount Druitt will receive an extra $25.9 million by 2027.

Cabramatta High will receive $14.4 million above what is currently forecast. Separate analysis also shows some of Sydney’s most prestigious high schools will receive more money than they required under the Gonski needs-based funding model.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits North Strathfield Public School with Minister for Education Simon Birmingham (R) and Member for Reid, Craig Laundy. Picture: Toby Zerna

If the state government doesn’t change its share of money, Loreto Kirribilli will still be funded at 160.2 per  cent  of the ­so-called “School Resourcing Standard” benchmark by 2027.

Queenwood, Wenona and Barker College are also in line to keep higher levels of funding per student, although it will be lower than their current share.

Education Department figures show federal funding for the state will ­increase from $5.49 billion this year to $5.79 billion next year, increasing by an average of 5.4 per cent on average for the next four years.

Mr Turnbull poses with students from North Strathfield Public School. Picture: Toby Zerna

“We are having the courage to implement the vision for schools in Australia that was frankly squibbed by the previous government,” Education Minister Simon Birmingham said.

“Our proposal is to treat every school fairly, equitably, under the same terms, regardless of their background, ­regardless of their school ­sector, regardless of their faith ... that’s an incredibly fair approach to take.”

Senator Birmingham said the funding reforms would mean an almost doubling in annual federal school funding to $30 billion in the next decade. But Labor argues it is $22 billion less than its proposal.

And former prime minister Tony Abbott said it was “hard to see that any of this extra funding would be tied to better academic outcomes and better student performance”.

He told 2GB radio the policy would “be pretty vigor-ously debated in the party room next week”.

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said funding reforms would mean an almost doubling of federal school funding in the next decade.

“The problem with our school system is not so much lack of funding ... the problem is that we need better teachers not just more teachers,” he said. “We need much more academic rigour in the curriculum, much more principal autonomy and much more parental involvement.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten left open the possibility Labor would support some reform measures, ­including cutting funding for 24 elite schools and freezing the funding of 300 others.

“If (Turnbull) is proposing that, we’re happy to work with him on that,” Mr Shorten said. “But what we don’t see is that if you’re looking, if you’re cutting at the very top end, that you should be going after the bottom end as well.

The old school yard could be in for a boost with the additional funding. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Under the Liberals there will be 22,000 fewer teachers funded over the next 10 years.”

The Greens have indicated they could also support the government’s schools agenda.

Catholic schools, which the government says will have funding growth of 3.7 per cent over the next four years, have been the most outspoken in their criticism of the plan. About 9000 schools would receive more resources. The National Catholic Education Commission is seeking “urgent talks” with the government.

Its acting executive director Danielle Cronin yesterday suggested fees would have to increase and schools could end up closing under the ­reforms.

“We believe any increase in school fees will place undue pressure on families and may cause them to withdraw their children from Catholic schools,” Ms Cronin said.

“We will fight any changes that will force parents to move their children from a Catholic school because they can no longer afford the fees

Parents want clarity after school daze

Pagewood Primary School students like Cooper, 8, and sister Mallory, 7, are expected to benefit from the new funding.

PARENTS say they won’t believe there is extra money pouring into the school system until they actually see more teachers and school supplies.

“We’ve been promised money before and nothing happened,” mother-of-four Rebecca Lucas, who is on the P & C at Pagewood Public School, said. “I won’t believe it until we see extra computers in the classroom and more staff.”

Ms Lucas said she agreed that special deals that meant some Catholic and independent schools were overfunded should be overhauled. She said PPS, which will be a winner under the funding reforms, currently had a fundraising drive to increase school computer numbers. “Computers for every student would be nice,” she said.

Ali Reza, whose son Abdullah Hosaini goes to Parramatta Public School, said parents would always be “grateful” for more funding — especially if it was spent on hiring extra teachers.

Additional reporting by Laura Sullivan and Melissa Leo.

Originally published as Gonski 2.0: Education funding reforms will mean schools are $73b better off over decade