Rae welcomes fair school funding

MEMBER for Hawke, Sam Rae, has praised a recent agreement between State and Federal governments aimed at more fairly allocating funds between Victorian public schools.

Late last month Victoria, alongside South Australia, became the latest state to join the majority of Australia in signing onto the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.

As part of the initiative, schools across the state will receive an extra five per cent of the Federal Government’s Schooling Resource Standard which is expected to rise from 20 per cent to 25 per cent by 2034.

Mr Rae said the agreement is a win for schools across the Hawke electorate.

“Every Hawke school student deserves access to a quality education,” he said.

“This landmark funding agreement will help improve our local schools in Hawke and boost outcomes for students.

“Labor are investing in Hawke’s public schools to create a better and fairer education system.”

The State Government is also set to remove a previous provision allowing the state to claim four per cent of public school funding for indirect school costs, instead replacing it with four per cent of recurrent funding on eligible expenses.

A 75 per cent share of the SRS for public schools is also expected to be maintained.

A Victorian Bilateral Agreement is also set to follow to tie funding into current reforms for schools statewide such as year 1 phonics checks, retention incentives for teachers, and access to mental health professionals.

Australian Minister for Education, Jason Clare, said the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement is about giving the country’s students the best chance at success.

“This is real funding tied to real reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school,” he said.

“It’s not a blank cheque. I want this money to get results. That’s why funding will be directly tied to reforms that we know work.

“It will help make sure every child gets a great start in life. What every parent wants. And what every Australian child deserves.”

The agreement is aimed at working towards national targets including increasing the number of graduating year 12 students by 7.5 per cent, boosting national averages for reading and numeracy, and increasing student attendance to 91.4 per cent by 2030.

The New South Wales and Queensland State Governments are yet to sign onto the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.

Those that have are being offered additional Federal funding as per the no disadvantage clause included in their respective bilateral agreements.