Whilst Australians recognise the pressing need to support students with disabilities in our schools, the Prime Minister’s announcement of a $47.9 million funding allocation for children with disabilities in NSW government schools needs to be assessed for its adequacy, against the recommendations of the Gonski review into schools funding, Greens Acting Leader, Christine Milne said today.
“Prime Minister Gillard should release the Gonski review now ahead of legislating for increased funding for schools this year.
“The community is keen to see what the Gonski review has recommended regarding the adequacy and fairness in the current funding arrangements for schools especially as Australia is ranked 23rd out of 30 OECD nations in schools funding and students are slipping behind their peers in the region.
“The Gonski review will highlight not only a need for additional funds, but as importantly, where it should be spent. It is expected to recommend a major shake-up of the current schools funding system to make it fairer which is why it is vital that the review be released in full before more money is spent.
“The Greens have always strongly advocated for funding increases for students with a disability or with special needs to meet the commitment of providing a high quality education for all, and we supported the $200 million for this purpose in last year’s budget, but it is the focus on higher quality education for all that is missing in the Prime Minister’s continued delaying of the public release of the Gonski review.”
Senator Christine Milne, Greens Acting Leader
