Not one child must be worse off

A COMMITMENT that no child or parent would be worse off under the Gonski education reforms is among state and territory demands.

A COMMITMENT that no child or parent would be worse off under the Gonski education reforms was among demands being made last night by the states and territories.

There were also calls to ensure independent and Catholic schools were not forced to bear the brunt of any changes backed by the Gillard government.

Victorian Education Minister Martin Dixon said the commonwealth's response to the changes made it difficult to know what would occur.

Mr Dixon said the imperative was to ensure that schools were not disadvantaged.

He attacked what he said was a serious lack of consultation, also warning that if the existing indexation arrangements were not maintained, Victorian schools could be nearly $390 million worse off each year by 2022.

"Parents would be justly concerned about the affordability of school fee increases as a result of a change to current arrangements," Mr Dixon said.

NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said the government should not favour one sector over another. "Australia needs a system of school funding that can lift attainment across schools, public or private," Mr Piccoli said. "Schools with higher needs should receive additional funds, regardless of what sector they are in."

The Australian reported yesterday on the potential exodus of Catholic students if the reforms lead to sharp fee increases.

South Australian Education Minister Grace Portolesi said any exodus to the public system would not be a problem: "We have room." Nor would there be issues with private school fee increases. Queensland Education Minister Cameron Dick said: "Any new funding model must recognise the critical role of government schools in providing access to all students."

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: IMRE SALUSINSZKY