Uncertainty 'imperils' planning

INDEPENDENT and Catholic schools have expressed concern about the lack of detail in Julia Gillard's response to the Gonski review.

INDEPENDENT and Catholic schools have expressed concern about the lack of detail in Julia Gillard's response to the Gonski review, saying the uncertainty over funding will make it hard for schools to plan for 2014 and beyond.

While businesses, unions and schools across three sectors welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to introduce a new funding model, many wanted more clarity on how the reforms would be implemented and were unhappy with the six-year timetable.

But they all urged the state and territory governments to work with Ms Gillard to negotiate the funding breakdown for the Gonski reforms as soon as possible.

Independent Schools Council of Australia executive director Bill Daniels said yesterday they would have liked to have seen "greater clarity" about the government funding given it would be rolled out over a longer period than expected from 2014.

He feared the funding detail would not be thrashed out with the states until next year through the Council of Australian Governments process. "If schools don't know the amount of support they will be eligible for until the middle of next year, that will cause some serious planning difficulties for many independent schools," Mr Daniel told The Australian.

National Catholic Education Commission chairwoman Therese Temby said the sector was disappointed by the lack of detail around the funding model.

Ms Temby said Catholic schools urgently needed certainty on funding for beyond 2014. "It has been impossible for NCEC to develop a clear understanding of the impact of the government's own modelling," she said.

Australian Education Union Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos called on all governments to act on the reforms, saying the nation's children would pay if the reforms were not implemented.

"Any leader who does not sign on to school funding reform will be sending a clear message to parents about their unwillingness to act in the interests of children," he said.

Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia chief executive Kim Cull echoed the call of the AEU and urged all sectors and governments to unite to put in place the new funding model.

Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said while she supported the Gonski funding reform model, improving school performance was not just about money. "We should avoid any micro-managing of schools from Canberra."

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox urged stakeholders to unite on the reforms. "The issues at stake are significant. We need a commitment from all governments to progress these reforms," he said.