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Education Minister says funding cuts to Kalamunda and Governor Stirling SHSs could be absorbed if schools rethink programs

Sarah BrookesMidland Kalamunda Reporter

FUNDING cuts to gifted and talented programs at Kalamunda and Governor Stirling senior high schools could be absorbed by the schools if they change the way they administer the program, says Education Minister Sue Ellery.

The State Government has announced funding for the programs at 18 schools would be reduced by 25 per cent from 2019.

Governor Stirling Senior High School delivers a selective academic program. In 2017, there were 72 students enrolled in the program across years 7 to 12.

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Governor Stirling SHS currently receives $337,037 funding for the selective academic program and under the changes will lose $84,259.

Meanwhile Kalamunda Senior High School offers a visual arts program. In 2017, there were 90 students in the program across years 7 to 12. It currently receives $121,063 funding for the visual arts program and under the changes will lose $30,266 in funding.

Education Minister Sue Ellery said the 25 per cent reduction applied to supplementary funding for gifted and talented programs, most often used for co-ordination and administration.

“It is not related to, and it doesn’t determine, the number of students enrolled in those programs,” she said. “The funding is provided directly to each school and they determine themselves how they allocate it.

“The change has been made in a way where schools will still be able to accommodate the program – perhaps by changing the way they administer the program – without changing the number of students or the quality of the education students receive.”

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