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Cuts clash with student increase

Staff ReporterSouthern Gazette

Some primary schools in the Belmont area are expected to lose up to $124,000 this year in funding under estimated cuts by the State Government.

‘There is simply no way these massive cuts won’t impact the learning potential of Belmont students,’ Ms Rowe said.

She said the true effect of education cuts would start to hit, with schools returning this month and an extra 11,000 school enrolments across WA for semester 1 ” compared to the same time last year.

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Late last year Education Minister Peter Collier revealed cash changes for Belmont City College were expected to total $172,207 in 2014.

However, the final figure would depend on actual student enrolments this year.

At the time, WA Labor estimated a funding cut of $231,000 at Belmont City College.

On December 10, Mr Collier told Parliament it was forecast the college would have fewer full-time equivalent teaching positions than last year, due to fewer student enrolments and changes to staffing formulas.

In response to Ms Rowe’s concerns this month, Mr Collier said the government acknowledged these funding changes may present challenges for some schools.

He said not all programs would be able to continue in their current form.

‘However, our schools are well resourced and will continue to be well resourced,’ he said.

‘Over the next few years, increased demand for services means it is vital that every available resource is used to best effect.

‘It is not sustainable or appropriate to simply increase expenditure at the same rate each year without reviewing how money is allocated to ensure the best value for each education dollar.’