According to the NSW Teachers Federation there is a $3 million difference in total funding increases proposed by the original Gonski deal and the federal government’s ‘Gonski 2.0’ plan for the nine public schools in the Lithgow region over the next two years.
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Under the original Gonski deal struck in 2013, known as the National Educational Reform Agreement, Lithgow High School would have received an extra $1.3 million in funding over 2018 and 2019.
Under the 2017 federal budget the school will only receive a $280,000 increase on 2016 budget figures.
Malcolm Turnbull announced the $19 billion education funding increase, labelled ‘Gonski 2.0’, during 2017 budget discussions. Funding for public schools will grow 94 per cent, or $6.4 billion, over the decade. Funding for Catholic and independent schools will rise 64 per cent, or $6.7 billion.
Despite David Gonski endorsing the ‘needs based’ package, the NSW Teachers Federation maintains it will not provide the support NSW students need.
“Gonski is the fairest system of funding,” Kelly Anderson, the country organiser of the NSW Teachers Federations said.
"Our plan is about giving all Australian schools a fair go and wiping away the 27 special deals Labor signed up that trashed the recommendations of David Gonski "
- Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham
Under the original Gonski agreement, Lithgow Public School would have received $600,000 more in 2018-2019 than under the current budget, as would have Cooerwull Public School. Portland Central would have received $400,000 more, Wallerawang Public School $370,000 and Zig Zag Public School $137,000.
The only Lithgow public school that will do better in 2018-19 is Capertee Public School, which will gain $3,683 above the original Gonski model.
Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said it was time to stop debating the original Gonski funding agreement which was terminated by the Liberal Government three years ago.
“Our plan is about giving all Australian schools a fair go and wiping away the 27 special deals Labor signed up that trashed the recommendations of David Gonski and his panel of experts,” Minister Birmingham said.
No Lithgow schools have been included in the list of 24 ‘overfunded’ Catholic and Independent schools who will have their funding cut in real terms under the 2017 budget.
La Salle Academy will receive a $160,900 boost in funding in 2018. St Patrick’s will receive a $107,500 boost.