MEDIA RELEASE
OUR CHILDREN – AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE RECORD FUNDING
FOR AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS
24 May 2003
This press release was issued on Budget night 13 May 2003.
It is reissued today to assist in informing community understanding
of this important issue.
The Howard Government’s eighth Budget has allocated record
funding of $6.9 billion to Australian schools and students for
2003-04, an increase of $528 million or 8.3 per cent over last year.
The unprecedented funding for schools and students in 2003-04
continues the trend of the past seven Howard Government budgets.
Since 1996, Commonwealth funding for schools and students has grown
by more than 93 per cent.
In 2003-04, almost $2.5 billion is being provided for government
schools and students – an increase of almost $130 million or
5.5 per cent over the past year and a 60 per cent increase since
1996.
This substantial commitment highlights the national leadership
shown by the Commonwealth Government in education.
State and Territory governments provide the vast bulk of public
funding for State government schools (about 88% nationally). The
Howard Government believes it is vital that State and Territory
governments properly fund their schools.
Quality education is vital to Australia’s future. I am committed
to continuing to provide substantial levels of funding to produce
real results for all students.
There has been good progress in literacy and numeracy, with only
one country performing better than Australia in reading and maths
literacy, and only two in scientific literacy (OECD’s Programme for
International Student Assessment (PISA)).
The Howard Government remains committed to schools reporting to
parents the results of national benchmark tests in literacy and
numeracy.
Last year Victoria agreed to join Western Australia, the
Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory in reporting
these results to parents. I urge Queensland, New South Wales, South
Australia and Tasmania to do likewise.
This Budget commits a further $210 million over the next four
years to improve literacy and numeracy for Australian students. Some
$172.3 million over four years to 2006-07 is provided to continue
literacy and numeracy funding at existing levels. More than
$37.6 million is also provided to continue the National Literacy and
Numeracy Strategies and Projects Programme over the same period.
A total of $5.3 million in 2003-04 has been allocated to continue
the National School Drug Education Strategy, building upon the
progress achieved to date, and to foster the capacity of school
communities to provide safe and supportive school environments for
all Australian students.
The Howard Government supports the right of parents to choose the
school which best suits the needs of their children.
Those parents who choose a Catholic or Independent school, having
paid their taxes to assist the education of all children, are
entitled to support. The SES system of general recurrent funding for
non-government schools, which funds schools on the basis of the
socioeconomic profile of the areas from which schools draw their
students, will continue. Schools which draw students from areas of
predominantly low SES receive Commonwealth funding of up to 70% of
total public expenditure provided to a student in a State government
school whereas schools drawing students from the wealthiest areas
receive just 13.7% of total public expenditure provided to a student
in a State government school.
State government schools, which educate 68 per cent of students,
attract 76 per cent of the combined Commonwealth, State and
Territory funding.
This Budget also maintains the Howard Government’s Capital Grants
Programme in real terms, providing $249.0 million for government
schools and $97.9 million for non-government schools.
The Howard Government is determined to continue to close the gap
between the learning outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous
students. Once again this Budget commits significant funding. The
Government will provide $467.7 million in 2003-04 to enhance the
outcomes of Indigenous students in schooling, training and higher
education.
Whatever we achieve in education we cannot consider we have
succeeded while education outcomes for Indigenous students lag so
far behind that of non-Indigenous Australians.
I welcome this Budget for schools, which strengthens the
Commonwealth’s leadership role in demanding the best for all of our
students.
For further information:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Jane Smith 0412 973 411
Department of Education,
Science and Training Budget at a Glance - Schools
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