The federal government has recently announced that it will increase funding for education by adopting the recommendations of the Gonski Review.
I celebrate and commend the government on this decision to invest in our nation’s future.
This extra funding is a welcome boost to our strained school budgets and will have a significant effect on student achievement and welfare.
Many of our local schools have populations of disadvantaged students and under the Gonski model will attract even more funding where it is most needed. This means additional support for the students who need it the most.
Standing in the way of our schools receiving on average an extra $1500 per student per year is the need for an agreement between the state and territory leaders to be made with the federal government.
I implore our Premier Ted Baillieu to reach an agreement with the Prime Minister on this issue as a matter of extreme urgency and importance.
Signing on to the Gonski model means that all our children have access to the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.
Caitlin Down, Downs Road, Codrington