Albanese government called to address funding deal 'short-changing' public school students by $1000

Australian students will be left behind unless the federal government agrees to fund public schools better, educators and state politicians say.

In every state and territory except the ACT, public school systems are funded at least five per cent less than the amount required to meet student needs.

This means public school students are $1000 worse off every year compared to their counterparts who attend fully-funded private schools.

Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe says the inequality gaps must be addressed immediately.

On Wednesday, state education ministers, teachers and the union will take to Parliament House and call on the federal government to take action.

“This is the moment in history that the Albanese government can finally deliver on the promise, made over a decade ago to Australia’s public school students, that their schools and their education would be fully funded,” she said.

In a deal with the NT government, the Commonwealth has agreed to fully fund the territory’s public schools within five years by lifting its commitment to 40 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard.

The measure, which is based on a recommendation in David Gonski’s 2011 review of the Australian education system, estimates how much total public funding a school requires to meet its students’ needs.

For every other state and territory, the federal government has offered to increase its contribution to 22.5 per cent of the standard.

Though WA has accepted this deal, the offer will not be enough to fully fund public schools in most jurisdictions.

Education ministers from Victoria, NSW, the ACT, Queensland and South Australia have urged the Commonwealth to lift its contribution to 25 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard.

“I will not sign any agreement that short-changes NSW public schools,” NSW Education Minister Prue Car says.

“I can’t look parents and students in the eye unless I can say that I have done everything I can to get the best possible deal for our kids.

“Education is a cornerstone of Labor governments, and it should be delivered equitably, with no child left behind.”

Under the current agreement, the federal government pays at least 80 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard for non-government schools and 20 per cent for public schools.

If the hold-out states do not sign on to the Commonwealth’s increased offer of 22.5 per cent by September, the current deal will roll on.

This comes after national numeracy and literacy results showed stark educational disparities between advantaged and disadvantaged student groups.