LABOR TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Deputy Labor Leader, Tanya Plibersek, said the extra investment will transform public schools in NSW so every child gets the education they need for the best start in life.

 

“In NSW, Labor’s extra investment is the equivalent of hiring an additional 2,300 teachers or 4,000 teacher aides,” Ms Plibersek said.

 

“We will deliver an extra $14 billion for Australian public schools over the next decade, with $3.3 billion extra flowing in the first three school years alone.

 

“Labor wants every public school to get 100 per cent of its fair funding level, and we will work with the states and territories to achieve this.

 

“We believe Australian schools should be the best in the world”, Ms Plibersek said.

 

“Labor’s record school funding will ensure NSW public schools get the money they need to give students more individual attention, and more help with the basics such as reading, writing, maths, and science.

 

“It will allow public schools to offer a broader range of subjects including languages, coding, the arts, and vocational education.

 

“And it will support our outstanding teachers to continue to update their skills.

 

“Labor believes that for parents to have real choice about where they send their kids, governments have a responsibility to make sure our public schools are second to none.

 

“We will give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential – no matter where they live, or how much their parents earn.

 

“Children who are struggling will get the help they need to catch up, and gifted and talented children will have the chance to extend themselves.

 

The NSW Shadow Minister for Education, Jihad Dib, said the Labor Party, both federally and in NSW, understands that increased funding to schools enables more attention to individual students and excellent teaching.

 

“I can tell you from first-hand experience, the difference funding can make to changing the trajectory of a student’s life,” Mr Dib said. 

 

“It’s not just teachers, more funding means a school can hire specialists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and literacy experts to help the kids that desperately need additional support.

 

“This is the fair funding model that will make a difference. Only Labor governments - whether state or federal, understand that all children deserve a quality education, no matter what their postcode is,” Mr Dib said.

Ms Plibersek said investing in schools is a priority for Labor because many of the things that will help schoolchildren improve, such as more individual attention and excellent teaching, cost money. 

 

“Parents work so hard fundraising for their school – sausage sizzles, cake stalls, fetes – because they know the difference extra money makes,” Ms Plibersek said.

 

“Australians didn’t vote for Scott Morrison, and they didn’t vote for his $14 billion cuts to public schools. 

 

“We must do everything we can to prepare our kids for the jobs of the future.

 

“That’s why Labor is investing in 15 years of world class education for the next generation, from 3 and 4 year old preschool to year 12. 

 

“The Liberals reckon looking after their mates at the top end of town is more important than funding public schools.

 

“Australians are sick of hearing the Liberals say they can’t afford to help public schools while big business and millionaires get more and more.

 

“Labor thinks it’s time for a government that will put schoolkids first,” Ms Plibersek said.