NT only jurisdiction in Australia with underfunded private schools

The Territory remains the only jurisdiction with an underfunded private education sector despite a historic boost to the public school system.

Private schools have been left behind in billion-dollar boost to the Territory’s education system.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare last week committed to fully funding NT public schools for the first time in Territory history.

But the NT remains the only jurisdiction in the country with underfunded private schools.

A report commissioned by the Australian Education Union found NT non-government schools were two per cent shy of the Schooling Resource Standard, whereas every other region’s private schools exceeded the SRS by at least two per cent.

Catholic Education NT director Paul Greaves and Association of Independent Schools NT executive director Cheryl Salter welcomed the announcement but sought to negotiate a similar commitment for schools in the private sector.

The NT government‘s contribution target currently sits at 15.09 per cent but Mr Greaves and Ms Salter say the contribution should be closer to 20 per cent.

Mr Greaves said Education Minister Mark Monaghan had already invited non-government schools to the negotiating table.

Education Minister Mark Monaghan Disabilities Minister Ngaree Ah Kit announced the opening of the Henbury School Mini Woolies, the first of its kind in the NT.

“We look forward to full participation in the negotiation of the bilateral agreement,” he said.

“We will be doing everything possible to ensure full and fair funding for all students as a matter of equity.

“We have already shared this hope with all of our eighteen principals and school communities.”

Ms Salter said the non-government school sector’s funding formula was “not straightforward”, with 10 independent schools in the Territory publicly funded.

“The rest, we have something that’s called a ‘capacity to contribute’ applied to that 20 per cent,” she said.

“They look at parents’ taxable income and then the median within the school, come up with a score, and then the funding is reduced by the amount according to the score.”

Opposition Education Spokeswoman Jo Hersey said there was no excuse for any NT school to be underfunded.

“The federal funding announcement into public education only props up a broken system, just like the Prime Minister’s $250 million anti-crime cash splash into Alice Springs,” Ms Hersey said.

“Eva Lawler will continue to blame everyone else and run to Canberra cap in hand for more funding, but is unwilling to do the work to get kids to school and better education outcomes.

“We will fight tirelessly for the Territory’s fair share and demonstrate responsible spending, ensuring that taxpayer’s money is spent on frontline services instead of pet projects.”

Mr Monaghan said the NT government was meeting its 15.09 per cent contribution targets because it valued every child’s education.

“Funding for non-government schools primarily comes from the Australian government, however the Territory Labor government continues to invest in your children because they are our priority no matter where they go to school,” he said.

“The Territory Labor government has just delivered a historic $1 billion deal with the Federal government which will see all NT government schools fully funded.

“This is a landmark funding agreement no other Territory government has been able to accomplish.”