Federal election: more public school funding

The Australian Education Union federal president Pat Byrne said public schools needed at least $2.9 billion a year if students were to meet national literacy, numeracy and skills targets set by federal, state and territory education ministers.

"Public schools cannot withstand another three years of attacks on their funding share," she said.

Without that funding, "there will be many, many children who are denied the opportunity to reach those national goals".

Ms Byrne said under the Howard Government the funding share for public education had plummeted from 43 per cent to 35 per cent, despite 70 per cent of Australian children attending public schools.

"The Howard Government's continuing cuts to the share of public education funding are taking away the right to a quality public education that every child deserves," Ms Byrne said.

The Australian Education Union estimates that after NSW, Victoria is in the greatest need of funding, requiring 24 per cent of the $2.9 billion.

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