NSW,Victoria,Queensland,South Australia,Tasmania and the ACT have rejected Federal Education Minister Jason Clare’s offer to increase federal funding of public schools by 2.5 per cent,instead calling for a 5 per cent rise,escalating rows that have also erupted over theNational Disability Insurance Scheme and infrastructure funding.
In a stalemate before a crucial meeting in Perth on Friday,Carroll said he stood with his state colleagues across the country “to fight for a better deal that won’t leave our public school students and staff behind”.
“While the states do the heavy lifting when it comes to public schools,the Commonwealth is intent on shortchanging Australian kids,” Carroll said.
Clare has repeatedly said the new federal funding model would be tied to conditions promoting greater transparency and accountability,particularly about ensuring lagging students catch up with their classmates and finish their education.
“I want this money to glow in the dark. Unlike the last National School Reform Agreement that did nothing to drive accountability and transparency,the next agreement will,” he previously said.
However,Carroll said the proposals were “instead burdening our teachers with more reporting and less time to spend with kids”.