State education minister slams federal funding as ‘grossly unfair’

Queensland’s Education Minister has attacked the federal government’s funding offer for private schools as ‘grossly unfair’.

Queensland Education minister Grace Grace. Picture: AAP.

Queensland’s Education Minister has attacked the federal government’s fast-tracked funding offer for private schools as “grossly unfair and irresponsible” and warned the commonwealth to stop interfering in the states’ business.

Grace Grace said she was blindsided by federal Education Minister Dan Tehan’s offer to expedite funding for independent schools that return to 50 per cent classroom teaching by the end of May.

“They do not run one school in the country … and I think it’s really unfair to link any bringing forward of funding to the opening of schools during a world health pandemic,” she told The Australian.

“We’re all trying to do the best we can under the medical advice. And under the various scenarios states are in with their COVID-19 number of cases, to somehow tie the assistance in funding to some arbitrary date or number of students attending the school is grossly unfair and irresponsible, and basically ignores the un­precedented times we’re in.”

Queensland’s schools are open only to the children of essential workers, or students considered vulnerable. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will make a decision on May 15 about whether to fully ­reopen schools.

Ms Grace said Mr Tehan did not work collaboratively with the states and did not give prior warning about his offer to independent schools, which closes on Friday.

Queensland’s 307 Catholic schools have rejected the offer.

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission’s executive ­director, Lee-Anne Perry, said she was grateful for the proposal but said the state’s Catholic schools had already budgeted for the scheduled July funding payment.

“Schools will continue to operate in accordance with the advice of the state health authorities, with the wellbeing and safety of our ­students and staff as our highest priority,” Dr Perry said.

“For now, Catholic schools remain open to the children of essential workers and vulnerable students, while also providing high-quality learning-at-home support and resources for all other Catholic school students.”

Ms Grace said Queensland schools were likely to have a staged return, with Prep, Grade 1, Grade 11 and Grade 12 students to go back to classrooms first, to allow schools to plan for crowded school pick-ups and drop-offs.

Health Minister Steven Miles said it was unlikely the state’s schools would return 100 per cent of students for some time.