Political uproar over Gonski backflip
By NSW Teachers Federation 27 November 2013
The announcement by federal Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, that the coalition was abandoning its commitment to implement the Gonski reforms, has produced a political backlash from principals, teachers, parents and state governments.
In the lead up to the election, Tony Abbott claimed to be on a “unity ticket” with Labor on school funding. Christopher Pyne pledged that every school would receive the same amount of funding under the Coalition as under Labor. He has repeatedly stated that he will retain the same “funding envelope” as Labor suggesting that the money in the existing commitments may be retargeted to states that failed to sign up for Gonski or even to less disadvantaged private schools.
Australian Education Union President Angelo Gavrielatos stated 'It's critical that state and territory Education Ministers hold the Prime Minister to his Gonski promise...Tony Abbott's election promise means Gonski funding certainty over at least four year.
'Schools need certainty to plan for how Gonski funds can be invested in their schools to give extra support to the kids who need it most."
The Liberal/National NSW Government has been ferocious in its criticism of the announcement by Education Minister, Pyne saying, "This issue has been escalated because of the poor way in which it has been handled and that is not acceptable when we are talking about the education of future generations of Australians." Other state leaders have also attacked the announcement.
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