[Greens-Media] Greens call for justice in disadvantaged school funding

[John Kaye]

Greens call for justice in disadvantaged school funding

Media Release: 1 November 2008

Greens NSW MP John Kaye is asking twenty-seven of NSW's wealthiest private schools to return 29 per cent of their state subsidies to restore Priority Action funding to twenty-seven public schools serving disadvantaged communities.

Commenting on in today's Sydney Morning Herald (‘Neediest students lose special funding'), Dr Kaye said: "After the NSW Department of Education unilaterally changed the selection criteria, twenty-seven public schools were dropped from the Priority Action program that addresses the effects of concentrated disadvantage.

"Meanwhile, Education Minister Verity Firth continues to pour $20.3 million each year into the state's twenty-seven wealthiest private schools. 

"That is more than three times the $5.9 million cost of restoring funding to the twenty-seven public schools that have been cut from the program.

"Elite institutions like Kings and Ascham could easily forgo less than a third of their state subsidies to support Claymore Public and Eagle Vale  High. 

"I will be writing to the twenty-seven wealthiest private institutions in NSW asking them to return 29 per cent of their state grants with a note to the Treasurer asking him to use the money to ensure continued Priority Action support for these twenty-seven public schools.

"These elite private school principals face a moral decision about priorities. 

"Can they in all conscience continue to spend their $20.3 million annual gift from the state government while public schools serving the state's most disadvantaged communities are cut off from specialist funding?

"Should Knox continue to receive $1.3 million a year and build its Great Hall, while Blairmount Public loses its  specialist teacher for learning difficulties?

"Education Minister Verity Firth claims NSW cannot afford $400,000 to support schools like Shalvey Public and Doonside High yet she gives more than $2.3 million a year to Sydney Grammar and Newington.

"If she wont act to restore some justice, principals of schools like Trinity and Kambala must return a small part of their subsidies to give every young person in the state a decent chance of success," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455