Support wanted for public funding lobby

Woy Woy High principal, Ms Carolyn Carter, has asked the school community to support the recently-formed local lobby groups for public school funding.

In the school's newsletter, the Woy Woy Weekly, she said extra federal funds would be given to some of the most wealthy and prestigious schools.

"In our own area, there are not yet a lot of non-government schools," she said.

"However, many of them will get a boost in Federal Government funding because there are no distinct wealthy areas on the Central Coast.

"We find mansions built alongside modest old fibro cottages in every area.

"There is widespread unemployment and poverty spread throughout every postcode on the Central Coast.

"The extra funds for the non-government schools rightly belong in the government primary and high schools attended by the poorer families so that their education can be given a boost."

The public education lobby was launched in mid-November this year. It is made up of the district P&Cs, the Central Coast Primary Principal's Association, the Central Coast Secondary Principals' Council and the local teachers' associations.

Director General of Education and Training NSW, Dr Ken Boston, said in an open letter: "Under the Enrolment Benchmark Adjustment (EBA), the Commonwealth reduces funding for public schools as the proportion of enrolments in non-government schools increases.

"But enrolments in public schools continue to rise."

"NSW will lose $50 million per year by 2003.

"A non-government school which would receive less under the proposed new funding arrangement will maintain its present level of funding.

"Astonishingly, one-third of non-government schools are so exempted."

Dr Boston said the Commonwealth Government intends that the new funding will place private education within the reach of all parents.

"History suggests this is unlikely to occur," he said.

"The money will not go into reduced fees but into additional facilities, widening the gap between the rich and poor."

Peninsula principals have asked the community to get involved by contacting Federal Member for Robertson, Mr Jim Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd told Peninsula News the new funding scheme will assist all schools in the area, both private and public.

"We must remember that not all private schools are rich," he said.

"Both Federal and State Governments are spending more on education than ever before in our history.

"Since 1996, Commonwealth spending has increased by 26 per cent, or $402 million on public schools.

"The Commonwealth's contribution to NSW has increased by 4.6 per cent this year, while the State Government's contribution has grown 1.2 per cent.

"The standard of education in the local area is very high," he said.

Addressing parliament, Mr Lloyd said: "The opposition has embarked on a campaign of misinformation, untruths and hypocrisy in their arguments.

"All their comments do is to undermine the confidence in government schools.

"They also undermine the confidence the teachers have in government schools.

Mr Lloyd said the opposition's arguments were dishonest when they compared dollar figures about extra funding.

"You must remember that state governments are the main funders of government schools; it's their responsibility.

Carl Spears, December 8