The Rudd government has reversed a decade of Howard-era education policy with a schools funding package which shifts focus from private schools back to the public system.
Following last weeks' meeting between the States and the Federal Government, Education Minister Julia Gillard unveiled a revised nation-wide funding plan totalling $42 billion dollars over four years.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has backed up Deputy Prime Minister Gillard's moves with research showing that private schools funding has spiralled out of control.
The Department's concerns have been echoed by a report from the Australian Education Union. Dr Jim McMorrow, a consultant for the Union and former senior public-sector education administrator, highlighted the decline in public school funding. Dr McMorrow welcomed the Government's changing focus but urged further action to address imbalances.
"The Rudd Government has yet to make clear its funding story," Dr McMorrow said. "What is needed now...is a sign that...acknowledges the fundamental role of public schools."
Overall funding for schools nationwide will continue on an upward trend. Public schools will receive a boost of $556 million by the 2011-12 fiscal year, bringing their proportion to 37% of the total.
Round "2.1" of school Digital Education Revolution funding, targeted at developing nation-wide student IT infrastructure, continues. The Department will use this, perhaps final, round to target eligible schools which have not yet received funding. Schools have until February 10th to apply, and vendors should expect money to flow on a few months after that date.
