An online survey ‘State of our School’s’ conducted by Insync Research, on behalf of the Australian Education Union, found that 93 per cent of public school teachers use their own money to purchase supplies for their school or students. 

Close to 8000 AEU members took part in the survey last year, between August 20-31, and found that 45 per cent of teachers are spending under $500 a year, while 25 per cent are spending more than $1000. 

President of the Wagga Teachers Association Michelle McKelvie said this is “totally unacceptable” and she doesn’t know any other profession that would allow this to happen. 

“I would think the majority of public school teachers in Wagga are having to spend their own money for classroom supplies,” Ms McKelvie said. 

“Nurses, doctors and paramedics aren’t expected to buy medical supplies, nor are public servants expected to do this. 

“Could you imagine if we asked the military to supply their own ammunition? But, it’s somehow acceptable for teachers, who are teaching the future, to buy their own resources.” 

Ms McKelvie blamed a lack of public school funding as the reason why many teachers are forking out their own money on school supplies. 

“There’s no funding in the public school system and by world standards in developed countries our education system funding for public schools, is below average,” she said. 

“This is something that teachers have been doing for so long and as a result, it’s become the norm and new teachers are having to just accept this too. 

“The government is spending less money on public schools and the majority of our country’s students, including disadvantaged students like special needs, refugees, Indigenous students and those in lower socio-economic-standards are being taught in the public system.” 

Councillor at NSW Teachers Federation Cameron Abood said this issue comes back to “Fair Funding Now”.

“If we funded our public school adequately, this would not be an issue at all,” Mr Abood said. 

Mr Abood said Facebook comments from the initial story about parents frustrated they have to supply some classroom items, mentioned that this issue is not new. 

“The comments mentioned that people have done this for generations and this is because public schools have been under-resourced for that long,” he said. 

Shadow Minister for Education Jihad Dib said that this is not a “new phenomena” but said he is concerned with the rise in teacher expenditure on school supplies. 

“It is not a new phenomena that teachers will dip into their pockets for some basic resources to support their teaching or supply students with a book here or a pen there,” Mr Dib said. 

“However, I am concerned by the gradual increase in the resources teachers are paying for. 

“A number of teachers have spoken to me about how they are now purchasing items they never used to. 

“Whilst nearly all teachers personally pay for resources of some nature, the expectation should be that an excessive supply of resources should not be a burden that falls to teachers or families,” the Shadow Education Minister said. 

Wagga schools are receiving in excess of $107 million this year which is an increase of $5 million on last year’s funding. 

Minister for Education Rob stokes said he is “constantly amazed” by the “dedication and commitment” of NSW teachers. 

“The NSW government is providing record levels of investment to our schools to ensure our students receive a world class education,” Mr Stokes said.