VICTORIAN public schools are on the path to better and fairer funding with the announcement that the Victorian Government is signing up to the Federal Government’s Better Fairer Schools Agreement.
This means an extra $2.5 billion in additional Commonwealth funding will be provided to Victorian public schools over the next 10 years, lifting the Commonwealth’s contribution from 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard by 2034.
The funding will enable more individualised support for students, mandating evidence-based teaching practices and more mental health support in schools.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell praised the State Government’s participation in the federal program.
“The [Federal Government] knows that education opens the doors of opportunity and we want to make sure we widen them,” he said.
“Building Australia’s Future means investing in the next generation, which is why every dollar of this funding will go into helping children learn.
“This gives certainty to parents and teachers, while setting our children up for the future.”
The Federal Government reiterates this funding is not a blank cheque with benchmarks the state will need to make at a national level, including:
An increased proportion of students completing Year 12 by 7.5 percentage points (nationally) by 2030.
Reducing the number of students in the NAPLAN ‘needs additional support’ proficiency level for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent.
Increasing the number of students in the ‘strong’ and ‘exceeding’ proficiency levels for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent by 2030.
Increasing the student attendance rate, nationally, to 91.4 per cent by 2030.
Increasing the engagement rate of (completed or still enrolled) of initial teacher education students by 10 percentage points to 69.7 per cent by 2035.
In addition, they must continue to deliver the following reforms, already in practice in Victorian schools, including:
A Year 1 phonics check (commencing this year) and an early years numeracy check to identify students who may need additional help.
Continue nation leading investment in initiatives that support wellbeing for learning—including access to mental health professionals in schools.
Access to high-quality and evidence based professional learning
Initiatives that improve the attraction and retention of teachers.
“This is real funding tied to real reforms to help students catch up, keep up, and finish school,” Mr Mitchell said.
“That is why this funding will be directly tied to reforms that we know work.
“It will make sure every child gets a great start in life. What every parent wants, and what every Australian child deserves.”
