Local teachers and NSW Teachers Federation Union representatives joined forces this morning to rally for continuous funding in state schools.
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Wagga activists were among supporters Australia-wide who were out in their communities delivering Fair Funding Now flyers to raise awareness about the divide between current federal funding models and the needs-based funding students need.
Wagga learning support officer Anna Swift said “it’s about equity not equality” funding.
“It’s about providing funds where it is needed,” Ms Swift said.
“If state schools take on 80 per cent of students with disabilities, then we need to fund them accordingly.
“If we take on students who are arriving to school not ready or who are disadvantaged, then we need to bring up those students to the standard so that every student in NSW has the best start at school and the best access to quality education.”
Ms Swift called for “continuous funding” each year to support the teachers needed for programs to run.
“In the past we’ve had programs where funding had been delivered but we weren’t able to plan efficient programs because we didn’t know when the funding would arrive,” she said.
“Once the Gonski funding came in that meant that we were able to offer so much more for the students.
“We opened up a student learning centre with access for students to cook food, students had access to complete work with support and this is only achievable when funding comes every year.”
NSW Teachers Federation Union councillor Cameron Abood said “recurrent funding” will increase student learning support officers, hands-on learning activities and secure programs to enhance the performance of mid and high achieving students to Riverina schools.
“At the moment the Coalition are wanting to cut funding and Labor have promised $14 billion of extra funding for schools,” Cr Abood said.
“With the state and federal elections coming up, we need to make the politicians aware that we need to get additional funding Australia-wide because schools matter.
“It should be a figure that is released per student, per need.”
According to Labor’s Fair Go For Schools website, the Riverina electorate would get about $24 million in extra funding for state schools in the region.
Another local teacher Tegan Bailey called for additional support for disadvantaged students to ensure they reach their potential.
“It’s about supporting students and giving them access to literacy and numeracy programs that we haven’t been able to staff with the cuts to funding that we’ve faced,” she said.
“Isn’t that what school is about?
“Helping kids to reach their potential, and if we don’t have the funding to do that, we can’t do it.”