Union doorknocks for Gonski

WITH an election earmarked for July 2, the Australian Education Union (AEU) is not wasting time drumming up support for the Gonski education reforms, doorknocking houses across the Corangamite electorate last week.
AEU Victorian branch president Meredith Peace said the doorknock was part of the AEU’s campaign for bipartisan support for the full six years of Gonski funding.
The Coalition has not committed to the $4.5 billion 2018 and 2019), but instead wants to negotiate a new funding arrangement.
“Teachers and parents were out on the streets letting people know exactly why Gonski is so important for their community and their kids’ future,” Ms Peace said.
“Needs-based Gonski funding has begun flowing to schools in Corangamite this year for the first time and it is delivering extra resources to schools that educate high numbers of disadvantaged students.
“Schools can use Gonski funding to provide more one-on-one support, smaller classes and targeted literacy and numeracy programs. All of these things will help support students and lift their results.”
She said more than half the increased resources would be delivered in the last two years of Gonski, with Corangamite schools due to receive between $14.3 million and $16.7 million in 2018 and 2019.
“If Malcolm Turnbull does not match Labor’s commitment to fund the full six years of the Gonski agreements and invest the extra $4.5 billion, then these schools will not get the funding they need to properly support their students.”
In a speech earlier this month, Education Minister Simon Birmingham said state governments had to bear responsibility for the issue, as federal per student funding for students in state government schools had grown 66 per cent in 10 years “yet some states still have the gall to say there’s a funding crisis”.