The Victorian Greens have said Labor is on notice to reinstate the $2.4 billion for public schools that was quietly cut last year by Jacinta Allan’s Labor government.
It comes after a damning report was released from the Greens-secured inquiry into public school funding. The inquiry heard from teachers, school councils and parent groups.
This inquiry revealed – that Victorian public students are being left behind by Jacinta Allan’s Labor government when compared to other jurisdictions.
The committee heard from parents having to give donations to ensure that the basics were being met – including essentials like tissues and paper. The inquiry also revealed the ripple effects of on students with disability, migrant and refugee, First Nation students and students taking alternative learning and online learning, who are being left behind by this government’s decision to cut funding.
Key recommendations from the report require the government to specify when it will reach 75% of Schooling Resource Standard Funding and when the funding is met to advocate to the Federal government to compensate public schools for the lack of funding since 2014.
Victorian Greens Education spokesperson, Tim Read:
“The situation in the so-called ‘Education State’ is dire right now. Teachers are being forced to strike, parents are having to fundraise for tissues, and children don’t have access to the support they need.”
Victorian Greens Member for Northern Metropolitan and Legal and Social Issues committee member, Anasina Gray-Barberio:
“We won’t let Jacinta Allan’s Labor government’s complete lack of care for our public school students, teachers and staff degrade the future of Victoria’s education system. It is high time that this government reinstates the $2.4 billion they cut last year. With this report Jacinta Allan’s Labor government is officially on notice.”