CONGRESS RESPONSE TO GONSKI REVIEW OF FUNDING FOR SCHOOLING

Congress Co-Chairs, Les Malezer and Jody Broun, support the implementation of the majority of recommendations from the Gonski Review.

Congress wants to see dedicated, secure and recurrent funding for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Australia,” said Co-Chair Les Malezer.

“We are concerned that the proposed ‘indigeneity’ loading recommended by Gonski means that schools with small enrolments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will not be entitled to dedicated funding for these students.

“For example a school with 99 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students out of 2,000 students would not be eligible for any funding specifically to support those students,” he said.

“We welcome Gonski’s recommendation for a National Schools Resourcing Body and call for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on this body,” said Co-Chair Jody Broun.

“Accountability and transparency measures must be in place to ensure that funds allocated to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are used specifically used for that purpose.

“Education is a priority for our members who want to see improved outcomes for our young people.

“The Congress submission was developed and driven by our Education working group composed of Congress members and delegates with expertise in this area,” she said.

Read the full Congress response to recommendations of the Review of Funding for Schooling here.