May 25, 2015
Teachers at Murgon State High School say their students are not getting their fair share of government funding.
Queensland Teachers’ Union members at the school have begun a campaign to get fairer funding from the State and Federal governments.
This Thursday, May 28, is National Public Education Day.
QTU members at the school intend to wear “I Give A Gonski” T-shirts to raise community awareness about their bid to attract needs-based funding to the high school.
“Murgon State High School misses out on a significant amount of money that could be used to secure extra resources to support our students’ education,” QTU representative Jared Hinds said.
“We do the very best with what we have, but it is simply not enough.
“We need extra money to provide more individualised attention to students; to develop programs that increase school and parent partnerships; to have extra teachers and teacher aides to work with students with disabilities; and to be able to give every child an increased chance to succeed.”
He said when the former State Government failed to distribute the Federal (Gonski) resources based on areas of need, South Burnett students were amongst those hardest hit.
The new State Government, whilst in Opposition, were strong advocates of a needs-based funding model.
He said Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne had also long argued current funding arrangements for students with disability and learning difficulties were unfair and inequitable.
Mr Hinds and other QTU members at Murgon State High School are urging the State Government to change the current funding allocation model.
“This is not about putting a strain on the State’s education budget,” he said.
“The money is there.
“What we are asking is that Budget funds are distributed using a needs-based model, instead of being distributed predominantly by enrolment figures only.
“The Gonski model is about a fair go for every child in every school including, of course, Murgon State High School.”
