NSWTF: O’Farrell leads on Gonski – other states must follow

The NSW Teachers Federation has welcomed news that Premier O’Farrell has committed to the Gonski schools funding reform in New South Wales.

NSW Teachers Federation President, Maurie Mulheron said today:

“Today’s announcement shows that the Premier has been able to put politics aside and act in the interests of the school children in this state.

 “We will see additional funding to support children who need it most.  We will now have a genuinely needs-based model of schools funding, which is the way it should be.

“This has been a long time coming – parents and teachers across the state have been working for years to press the case for change.”

Premier O’Farrell’s decision today will allow an additional $5 billion to flow to NSW schools over the next six years.  NSW public schools do most of the heavy lifting in supporting disadvantaged students – with these reforms, funding to public schools will reflect that reality.

Mr Mulheron went on to say, “These extra funds will start to bridge the divide of disadvantage that plagues our current model of schools funding.

“Parents of every school aged child in NSW have reason to celebrate today.

“With NSW committing to Gonski, the imperative for other states and territories to follow suit is clear.

“There is no reason for any further delay by any other state or territory leader.  Investment brings results, and it is our firm hope that they will all now take a leaf out of Premier O’Farrell’s book.  They must commit to the Gonski reforms so that every child gets the support they need to achieve their best at school.

“The additional funding the state is putting into the funding reforms must not come at the expense of public education provision in the TAFE sector. TAFE has already suffered huge cuts and needs additional resources, not fewer.”