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Joy Burch says no to means testing public education

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JOY Burch has strongly rejected any plans to make parents pay for public education in Australia.

A leaked discussion paper has lead to reports that some families could be required to pay for their children to attend public schools. The paper was developed within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

“Universal free public education is one of the hallmarks of a developed society,” Joy said.

“Public education is free and available to all, and that is the way it always should be. Any notion to change that is unacceptable.

“As ACT Education Minister, I will fight any move to means-test or charge for public education. I won’t support it here in Canberra or in any other jurisdiction in Australia.”

Joy called on all other jurisdictions to reject the proposal and recommit to the Gonski Review.

“If the Federal Government is looking for a real model with which to fund public education in Australia, they need look no further than the Gonski Review.”

“The Gonski Review comprehensively showed how all schools in Australia need to be funded.

“It is disappointing that not only has the Federal Government continually refused to commit to years five and six of Gonski funding, but they now appear to be discussing removing any support for public schools altogether.

“We have the greatest public school system in Australia, and that strength has come from our increased investment in support for students and improved facilities.

“This Government won’t support any compromise of our nation-leading education system.”

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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2 Responses to Joy Burch says no to means testing public education

LisaCC says: 22 June 2015 at 11:05 am

I have always thought families should contribute to public education. Why would a family who earns over $100 000/yr not want to make their child’s education better by contributing to school resources? It doesn’t have to be a large amount from each household but everyone earning a good wage can contribute something. This would help children who come from families who don’t have much to be able to also enjoy the benefits of more resources and funds into their school. There is also the benefits to a family with good wages because they work fulltime being able to actively contribute to the life of the school in a way they can’t if they have to be at work and don’t have the time to be able to contribute with hands-on support hours during the day or for fundraising.
I, for one, am happy to contribute to my son’s school by way of a fee as I can’t help out with reading, canteen, library, fundraising activities, etc.
A fee of some kind based on earnings doesn’t have to hurt the family budget but if we all chip in schools can help our children so much more.

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John Griffiths says: 22 June 2015 at 11:07 am

well Lisa,

A) A family on 100,000/yr is already paying a lot of tax for government services.

B) If the well off families are asked to pay they’ll decamp to private education in even greater numbers leaving the public system as a lower class education system.

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