MLA pushes for WA Gonski deal

‘Ashburton Drive Primary School is being offered an extra 30.9 per cent per student ” that’s $1,881,589 in new money,’ he said.

‘Thornlie Senior High School will get an extra $13,788,626.

‘These are funding increases that reflect the fact that public schools deliver education to all.

Mr Tallentire said the diversity of students public schools were catering to meant they needed more support from a range of people, including teachers, education assistants, social workers, speech and occupational therapists and psychologists.

‘If Mr Barnett doesn’t sign up, he will have betrayed our schools and betrayed our future,’ he said.

Education Minister Peter Collier said the new offer on the table was better than the previous and the State Government was waiting for more details.

He said even if it signed up, most of the funding for WA public schools would continue to come from the State.

‘The money on the table now is more attractive, however for WA this issue has never just been about funding. There are substantial issues related to the level of control the Commonwealth wants to exert on our public schools,’ he said.

‘For example, the Commonwealth wants to specify the way our schools plan and report to the community and to parents.

‘This is at odds with the direction of education reform under the Liberal-National Government and the system of Independent Public Schools which aims to give schools a greater say in how they respond to their community and student needs.’