By LIA SPENCER
THERE was a clear message to parents who dropped their kids off at Berwick Fields Primary School last week – Give a Gonski!
Teachers handed out flyers urging parents to call their local MPs about the “much-needed Gonski money” for their schools being offered under David Gonski’s review of the public education system.
Headed by business leader David Gonski, the Gonski review is the most comprehensive investigation into the way schools are funded in almost 40 years.
The review, which was initiated by the Federal Government, found that many schools did not have the resources needed to give every child a high quality education and called for more investment for schools.
According to the review, additional funding would be invested in local schools in ways that help students learn such as more individual attention in the classroom, extra specialist teachers in areas such as literacy and numeracy, greater support for children with disabilities or special needs and additional training and classroom support for teachers.
If the State Government signs up to the Gonski funding reforms, schools across the state would be in line for an extra $2.3 million over the next six years – a 50 per cent increase on current funding.
If the State Government signed up, Berwick Fields would, from 2013-2019, have a projected increase in funding of $5,205,547.
James Rankin, the Vice President of the Australian Education Union Victorian Branch, said teachers at Berwick Fields Primary School were handed out flyers and parents were supportive.
“The reaction from the parents was really positive, particularly when you highlight the amount of money for individual schools,” he said.
“There was almost unanimous support from parents on the proposal.”
Other schools including Berwick Lodge Primary School would have a projected increase of $3,950,946, Berwick Primary School would have a $4,687,920 increase and Berwick Chase Primary School would have a $2,155,331 increase.
In Cranbourne, Cranbourne East Primary School would have a $2,990,142 increase, Cranbourne East Secondary College would have a $779,141 increase, Cranbourne Park Primary School would have $1,712,321 extra and Cranbourne Secondary College would increase by $8,812,136.
To find out more about the Gonski Review visit http://igiveagonski.com.au/what-s-gonski/.
