Treasurer announces threat to public school funding

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

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MEDIA RELEASE
11.05.04

Treasurer announces threat to public school funding


Greens Education spokesperson Kerry Nettle has described the
Government's schools spending announcements as divisive for attacking
the work of public schools on one hand whilst pouring more money into
the private sector.

"There is no new money for public schools in this budget. Instead the
treasurer has restated a threat that public schools will not receive
their ongoing funding if they do not adhere to controversial reporting
and teaching requirements.

"The government's 'new performance measures' will clearly further
disadvantage them as compared to private schooling. 

"These funding decisions have nothing to do with the educational needs
of the nation and everything to do with the perceived narrow interests
of swinging voters in marginal seats.

"The budget projects public schools enrolments will go down over the
next four years. We can only assume this worrying trend is as a direct
result of the commonwealth's lack of support.

"The private school sector does very well getting $362 million in new
money over the next 4 years.

"The introduction of a 'values' programme is little more than an insult
to public school teachers, as part of an ongoing government campaign to
belittle what they see as 'political correctness' in the classroom.

The Greens would redirect the increase in private school funding into
the public sector and end the funding of the wealthiest private schools.

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146



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