New data from the federal Parliamentary Budget Office shows public schools in Western Australia (WA) need an additional $203 million a year on average to meet the minimum needs of public school students in the state.
The analysis has prompted those working within the WA education sector to call for a fair go and lift the share of funding the federal government allocates to public schools in WA, from 20 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard, to 25 per cent by 2028.
The standard is the minimum amount of funding – agreed on by all forms of federal and state-based government – needed to meet the education requirements of students in each Australian state and territory.
For overloaded principals and teachers, the extra investment would support the cutting of class sizes and offer better individual attention for students.
According to Australian Education Union federal president Correna Haythorpe, WA public schools are currently only funded to 95 per cent of the standard.
It’s a financial stress that has already had critical consequences for thousands of public school students who have been missing out on resources and quality education.
“With an average additional $203 million in federal funding each year, or five per cent more by 2028, the federal government can end this underfunding,” she said.
More funding will change students’ lives
Matthew Jarman, the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia president, agreed, saying the funding would lift academic results and create positive change to the lives of students.
“This is about our students, and making sure they get the opportunity to reach to their full potential,” he said.
With access to “full and fair funding”, Mr Jarman said “our principals can employ more teachers and reduce class sizes”.
“We can recruit more education support staff and give teachers the time and support they need to offer students greater individual attention,” he said.
The ability to use additional funding to bring allied health professionals, such as counsellors and speech therapists, into schools, would, Mr Jarman said, take “The pressure off families and giving the students who need it that extra boost”.
Consultations with key stakeholders, results from surveys and submissions will inform the development of recommendations for the final National School Reform Agreement report. It’s due to be handed to Education Ministers on 31 October.
