ACT Education Minister Chris Bourke has labelled claims from the opposition that the territory’s independent schools will have funds cut under reforms as “rampant scare-mongering.”

Bourke said this morning’s announcement by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, which confirmed that funding for every Australian school whether government, independent and catholic will continue to rise as recommended by the Gonski review, was a clear indication ACT schools were safe from cuts.

Opposition education spokesman Steve Doszpot had expressed concerns earlier today that some ACT schools would have funds cut and be forced to close under the Gonski plan.

“Canberra’s non-government schools already hurting, as they receive less government funding than any other jurisdiction,” he said.

But Bourke dismissed the claims as “smoke and mirrors to cover-up the ACT Liberals’ lack of education policy”.

“Mr Doszpot’s commentary does not bear any resemblance to Territory or Commonwealth policy, and after the Prime Minister’s pledge ACT schools and parents know that schools funding will not be cut,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bourke says the ACT Government is eagerly awaiting the Commonwealth’s response to the Gonski Report.

“This will help to allay concerns about what form a future federal model will take,” he said.