Funding inequality raises concerns

Funding inequality between students in public schools and those in independent and Catholic schools are more concerning than WA students receiving less than those outside WA, according to State Schools Teachers Union district representative Geoff Holt.

Last month, a Federal Government analysis revealed WA school students had received far less funding under the Gonski needs-based funding model than those in most other States.

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the data showed special deals done with State Governments by the Gillard Labor Government had “distorted” school funding and inequities would get worse in the next few years if the deals continued.

Mr Holt said despite students in WA receiving less than those in the other States and Territories, disparities between public and private students was a concern.

“The important thing to note is it’s not just inequality between us and other States, it’s inequality between us and independent and Catholic schools that did receive funding,” he said.

Based on data which compared a hypothetical school with the same characteristics under the different deals, a WA student would get $2649 a year, while a student in a Northern Territory school would get $4224.

The analysis also shows public schools in Tasmania would attract 40 per cent more Commonwealth funding next year than comparable WA schools.

However, Mr Holt said the bigger issue was the Government’s decision to back out of the final two years of Gonski funding.

“We need Gonski to close the gap for the most disadvantaged students,” he said.

“The problem with pulling Gonski is that it will exacerbate existing inequality.

“In WA there is a double whammy where we received no Gonski funding and there were also cuts from the State Government and we really deserve better.”

Education Minister Peter Collier described the original funding formula as “fatally flawed” and said he welcomed talks on a new model.

“At last we will have the chance for sensible and equitable arrangements, and I would expect a fairer distribution of funds for Western Australia,” he said.

“Why should a student from an identical background in Western Australia be funded at a much lower rate than a student that happens to live on the east coast of Australia?”

Mr Collier said he looked forward to seeing a true needs-based funding model, similar to the student-centred funding model already introduced in WA.