Response to my email to Peter Collier: My question - Do you agree with him? Dear Ms Hill Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding education funding and the Commonwealth Government’s funding offer to Western Australia following the recommendations of The Review of Funding for Schooling (Gonski). The funding of schools in a way that enables students to achieve high educational outcomes is of the utmost importance. The Liberal National Government is committed to enabling all students, irrespective of circumstances, to achieve their best. It is why we have invested so significantly in education compared to other States. The State Government is supportive of the principles of an equity-based student funding model for schools as proposed by The Gonski Review. However, the former Commonwealth Government’s funding arrangements are tied through legislation to significant reform directions that impact on the operation and administration of our schools over the longer term. Limiting the flexibility of the State Government or schools to act independently to meet local needs is unacceptable, particularly given the State Government provides approximately 87% of funding for public schools in Western Australia. The State Government looks forward to negotiating a new funding agreement with the Commonwealth Government that will ultimately benefit that all of our students, particularly those in disadvantaged circumstances. It is important to note that the changes the State Government is currently implementing are not related to Commonwealth funding arrangements. Since 2007-08, expenditure on education has increased from $2.8 billion to an estimated $4.4 billion in 2013-14. In this financial year alone, the budget has been increased by $300 million or 7.3%. The State Government has also delivered on its commitment to make WA teachers the highest paid in the nation. Teacher salaries have increased by between 23.6% and 30.5% since 2008, with a further increase of 4.25% in December 2013. Over the next few years, increased demand for services and rising costs mean it is vital that every available resource is used to best effect. It is not sustainable or appropriate to simply increase expenditure at the same rate each year without reviewing how money is allocated to ensure the best value for each education dollar. A review undertaken by The University of Melbourne found that the current model for distributing funds to public schools in Western Australia was complex, inflexible and out-dated. To address these issues, the Government is implementing changes on two fronts. Firstly, we will be introducing a new student-centred funding model in 2015 that will allocate funding on a child by child basis, based on individual student needs, rather than by school types or programs. The new model provides additional allocations for Aboriginal students, social disadvantage, disability and English as an additional language/dialect. There will also be allocations for small schools and schools in isolated and remote parts of the State. Further information about the new model can be found at det.wa.edu.au/schoolsandyou/detcms/portal/. Secondly, as we transition to the new funding model, changes to school resourcing allocations will be implemented in 2014. These include maintaining 2013 teacher numbers in 2014, reductions to education assistant positions and reductions to cash allocations such as the supplementary School Support Program Resource Allocation (SSPRA). The Government acknowledges that these changes may present challenges for some schools and that not all programs will be able to continue in their current form. However, our schools are well resourced and will continue to be well resourced. Maintaining 2013 teacher numbers in 2014 will result in an increase of less than half a student per teacher across the system. While there will be variations on a school by school basis, other cash changes, including SSPRA, represent less than 1.5% of total school resourcing on average. The important role played by education staff is recognised and highly valued, however, changes are required to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of funding allocations. The reduction to education assistant positions is a difficult, but necessary measure to ensure our education resources are allocated to where they are most needed, not just where they have always been directed. As Education Minister, I am proud of our schools and our education staff and this State’s commitment to investing in education. I visit schools throughout the State on a regular basis and I never fail to be impressed by the dedication of teachers and other education staff. While it may be easier not to change the system, this would not be the right decision. I am confident that the changes we are implementing will ultimately deliver a better education system for all our children. Thank you for raising your concerns. I hope this information is of assistance. Kind regards Hon Peter Collier MLC MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 07:51:08 +0000
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