Non-government schools in the Terrigal electorate have received more than $251,000 in additional funding, to put into resources where they are most needed, Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, said.
Mr Crouch said the schools benefitting from the additional Gonski funding included: The Coast Christian School, Green Point Christian College, Central Coast Grammar School and Central Coast Adventist School.
“Schools know best what these needs are and how to direct these funds for teacher’s aides to support students with disability, for teacher training or for literacy and numeracy intervention programs,” Mr Crouch said.
NSW Education Minister, Mr Rob Stokes, said the NSW Government is providing more than $45m to Catholic and Independent schools in 2017, up from $25m in 2016.
The funding comes from the NSW Government under the National Education Reform Agreement, also known as the Gonski reforms.
Under the 2013 agreement between the Federal and State Governments, Government, Catholic and Independent schools would all be funded to the same standard.
Loadings are provided on the basis of student need, such as low socio-economic status, aboriginality and students with disability.
“The NSW Government passionately supports the existing Gonski agreement because of the benefits this funding brings to our students”, Mr Stokes said.
“We will continue to advocate for the Federal Government to honour this agreement.
“All our schools are important community assets and we are committed to providing funds to support students in both government and non-government schools, consistent with our agreement with the Federal Government,” Mr Stokes said.
The payment to schools below the School Resource Standard, is the first of two to be made this year.
In 2017, the NSW Government will provide $1.1b in funding for the non-government school sector, of which $60m is additional funding.
Government school funding figures will be announced later this year.
Source:
Media release, Jun 8
Donna Golightly, office of Adam Crouch MP