The Gonski Review

At Strive for Excellence Tutoring we wholeheartedly support the recommendations of the Gonski Review.
The Gonski Review was initiated in 2010 by the then Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, to examine the way schools are funded in Australia. It was conducted by an expert panel headed by senior businessman David Gonski. It investigated the adequacy of the way schools are funded, and what needed to change to ensure that all students received a high-quality education, regardless of where they live, the income of their family, or the school they attend. The review recommended an urgent shift to a funding system that distributes funding more equitably to meet the needs of students, as well as a significant increase in the total amount spent on schools.

The Gonski Review found Australia is not investing enough in education, particularly in public schools. There has been a decline in the performance of Australian students over the last ten years, particularly those students at the top end. In the year 2000, only one country outperformed Australia in reading and scientific literacy and only two outperformed Australia in mathematical literacy. By 2009, six countries outperformed Australia in reading and scientific literacy and 12 outperformed Australia in mathematical literacy. There are also growing performance gaps between those students doing well, and those struggling.

To ensure all students obtain an acceptable education, the report recommends an increase in government funding of $6.5 billion a year across both government and non-government school sectors. It recommends that one-third of this funding be supplied by the federal government and the remainder to be provided by the states and territories. The money would be invested in ways that improve student learning, such as smaller class sizes; extra specialist teachers in areas such as literacy and numeracy; greater support for students with higher needs such as those with disabilities; and additional training and classroom support for teachers.

The review outlines the substantial costs of not implementing its recommendations. A lack of resources will continue to hold back students, making it harder for them to obtain the skills and knowledge they need for secure, well-paid jobs. According to Mr Gonski, “Australia will only slip further behind unless, as a nation, we act and act now”.

Prime Minister Gillard has announced that the government embraces many of the Gonski recommendations, and anticipates overhauling the school-funding system. An agreement must be reached with the states and territories, which are expected to share the cost, for the government’s plan to succeed. However, a deal is yet to be struck, with the states complaining that the plan lacks crucial detail. The Opposition Party also opposes the Gonski measures, with Opposition education spokesman saying that they discriminate against non-government schools.

No doubt school funding is likely to be a contentious issue for the federal election in September.