Funding Myths Exposed

THE Australian Government’s report on school funding, known as the Gonski Review, is about to be released.

Executive Director of Catholic Education, David Hutton, said he was concerned at the significant amount of misinformation and misguided commentary about government funding of schools in Australia.

He said the only honest way to compare government funding for schools, whether they be state, Catholic or independent, is to add together both State and Commonwealth grants.

Much comment refers only to the Commonwealth component rather than the total government funding.

The Commonwealth Government is historically the main government funding source for non-government schools whereas State Governments are the main funding source for state schools.

Financial data published on the My School website clearly indicates the significant differences in government funding across the sectors.  While the average Catholic school student receives a total of $7,708, state school students receive a total of $10,562.  (ACARA, March 2011.)

This is 73 per cent of the government funding for a state school student.

Mr Hutton said. all schools should be funded adequately and according to need.

“We need strong state, Catholic and independent sectors.

“The myths around government funding of schools need to be exposed if we are to move towards just and fair funding for all school students in Australia,” he said.

Detailed funding information can be found at www.fundinginfo.catholic.edu.au.