Local schools would receive $38.2M less, say teachers

Schools in the Robertson electorate would receive $38.2 million less education funding under a Coalition government than under Labor, according to the Ettalong-Woy Woy Teachers Association

Association secretary Mr Chris Wright said the shortfall would come because Tony Abbott has only committed to fund four years of the six-year NSW Gonski funding agreement.

"Mr Abbott is trying to deceive people into thinking he will implement the full Gonski funding model if he wins the federal election," Mr Wright said.

"The problem with Mr Abbott's political shift is that the NSW Gonski agreement runs for six years, with $3.2 billion of the total of $5 billion of additional funding not due to be paid until the last two years."

"Four years of funding means an Abbott Coalition government will spend two thirds less than the funding provided in the agreement signed by NSW Liberal Premier Barry O'Farrell.

"An Abbott government won't just be ripping funding from public schools that need it the most.

"Catholic and independent schools will also lose."

Mr Wright said that under a Labor government, schools in the Robertson electorate would receive $54.6 million in funding.

He said that should Mr Abbott be elected Prime Minister on September 7, Robertson schools would receive only $16.4 million in funding.

"Mr Abbott's position is simply unacceptable," Mr Wright said.

"Gonski is meant to provide extra funding for more support and individual attention for students."

Email, 26 Aug 2013

Chris Wright, Ettalong-Woy Woy Teachers Association