Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 5 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1779 ..

MS GALLAGHER (continuing):

Several recommendations deal with the broad issue of funding principles and the merits of achieving a national agreement on appropriate and complementary funding arrangements. One recommendation is that the ACT continue to work in collaboration with other states and territories through the Ministerial Council for Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, to achieve national agreement on the resources needed to realise the national goals of schooling for the twenty-first century. The government accepts that recommendation.

A related recommendation concerning support for principles that should underpin national funding arrangements between the states, territories and Commonwealth is also accepted. In addition, the government accepts the recommendation about adopting funding principles which recognise that the government's primary obligation in education is to provide quality public schooling, accessible to all.

The government of course continues to support the non-government sector as an important part of the education landscape. In doing so, it recognises the obligations of government and communities as funding partners of non-government schools and the complementary relationship between the government and non-government school sectors.

Mr Speaker, with regard to government schools, the government accepts the recommendation not to change the current broad structure of funding. As Ms Connors points out, the ACT arrangements are broadly consistent with those applying in other jurisdictions. The capacity exists, and is exercised from time to time, to adjust funding to recognise instances of particular need.

The government accepts the recommendation to give priority in government school funding to class sizes, curriculum, leadership, schools with high concentrations of students from disadvantaged families, and teacher support. The 2002-2003 budget provides additional funding for the Year 3 class size reduction. The 2003-2004 budget provides additional funds to undertake a major curriculum renewal process. It also doubles the funding available through the schools equity fund to assist schools with high concentrations of students from disadvantaged families.

In the government's view, additional support for beginning teachers and the continuation of the teacher fellowship scheme are worthy of consideration, in the context of the teachers' enterprise bargaining negotiations.

The government accepts in principle the recommendation to increase funding for pre-schools. The 2003-2004 budget provides additional funding to assist with cleaning, consumables and insurance costs.

The government accepts that the standard of accountability required of non-government schools in receipt of public funding should be increased. From 2004, non-government schools will be required to provide information to the ACT comparable with that currently provided to the Commonwealth.

It is through the school registration process that a government fulfils its obligations to the community, to ensure that the provision of a quality education by non-government

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .