Shadow Minister for Education meets with Wyndham Principals

Joanne Ryan, Federal Member for Lalor and Shadow Minister for Education, Kate Ellis, meet with Wyndham School Principals today to discuss the impact of the Federal Budget on local schools.

As a former principal, I was keen for Kate to hear directly from the principals in this area and hear firsthand about the impact on our schools.

This time last year, schools were excited about the future for education. The education funding debate had been deep. The National Partnerships had made a difference, student outcomes were improving. The focus was on every student, in every school achieving their potential and this great work would continue.

Principals today expressed concerned for their schools;

• what will the future hold for the school budget?
• Will they be able to continue employing a literacy or numeracy specialist?
• will there be additional funding for students with a learning disability,
• will they need to axe programs,
• do they need the lose teachers and support staff?
• can the parents contribute more,
• how many fundraisers can we have?

The Gonski funding review was undertaken in a deep and measured way.

It was sector blind and student focused.

It showed a way forward. This year’s Victorian budget was silent on Gonski funding, this week’s Federal Budget just rips money away.

It’s all bad news and worse still, there is absolutely no certainty. This is a Budget of broken dreams and twisted priorities. Our students deserve better.