Historic funding deal for NSW public schools

The Federal and State Governments have come to an historic agreement that will put all public schools in NSW on a path to full and fair funding.

Following the announcement, Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare joined Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, at Gorokan Public School and Wyong High School.

Clare and McBride met with principals, teachers and students from both schools.

The significant agreements will see an estimated $4.8 billion in additional Commonwealth funding to NSW public schools over the next 10 years.

As part of the Heads of Agreements, the Commonwealth will provide an additional 5% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to NSW.

This will lift the Commonwealth’s contribution from 20% to 25% of the SRS by 2034.

Commonwealth funding will be tied to reforms needed to lift education standards across the country, including more individualised support for students, mandating evidenced-based teaching practices, and more mental health support in schools.

The agreement will be followed by a NSW Bilateral Agreement, which will tie funding to reforms that will help students catch up, keep up and finish school.

In addition to these reforms, the agreements have targets, including that by 2030 the proportion of students finishing high school will be the higher than it has ever been.

“This funding is historic – every student deserves access to a quality education and that’s exactly what this investment in Central Coast schools will deliver,” McBride said.

“Labor’s landmark funding agreement will help improve our local schools and boost support for students.

“Labor are investing in Central Coast public schools to create a better and fairer education system.”

Clare said the funding would help more than 770,000 children in more than 2000 public schools.

“This is big – the biggest state in the country has now signed up,” he said.

“This is real funding tied to real reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.

“It’s not a blank cheque – I want this money to get results.

“That’s why funding will be directly tied to reforms that we know work.

“It will help make sure every child gets a great start in life.

“What every parent wants. And what every Australian child deserves.”