Australian Education Union Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos visited Camden Haven High School last week. His visit was part of the ‘I give a Gonski’ campaign to overhaul school funding which has featured in television advertising and on a new website.
The review of school funding headed by David Gonski found Australia is under-investing in education. His report recommends an overhaul of the way schools are funded and a $5 billion increase in school funding, with $3.8 billion to go to public schools.
Based on an average increase of $1500 per student and their enrolment of around 1000 students, Camden Haven High School would receive around $1.65 million in additional annual funding, based on the Gonski Review recommendations.
Although the school already offers a diverse curriculum with many and varied options for students, staff believe additional funding would provide greater flexibility in curriculum decisions and may potentially lead to additional staff, smaller class sizes and more options for subject selections.
Principal Margaret Hutchinson says the funding could also be used to support classroom teachers in a number of key areas, including materials for those studying by distance and students with special needs.
“The employment of highly accomplished teachers in the areas of literacy and numeracy would enable the acceleration and extension of gifted students and an increase in the number of students being included in intervention programs to improve individual results,” she said.
“There needs to be a commitment made and new laws passed as a matter of urgency.”
Union President Angelo Gavrielatos claims the failure to deliver adequate resources to schools is holding Australian children back and making it harder for them to get the skills and knowledge they need for secure, well-paid jobs.
“So far there is no commitment to deliver the additional funding” he said.
“This is an issue for every parent, and every politician.
“We need a commitment to passing legislation this year that will make Gonski law.”
