School fees to rise as local school funding on the chopping block

“Details of exactly how much funding local schools in Great Southern will lose if current funding arrangements are abolished has now been revealed” Senator Judith Adams said today.

“Two schools in the Great Southern  are known as ‘funding maintained’ schools, because the Howard Government didn’t want any school to lose out when the new school funding model was introduced in 2001” said Senator Adams.

“These schools are mostly smaller catholic or independent schools that cater to middle income families facing cost of living pressures, who can’t afford a hike in school fees. “

“Unfortunately, Schools Minister, Peter Garrett has confirmed that these ‘funding maintained’ schools will very likely be worse off when the funding review is completed, and for the first time we can reveal how much they stand to lose. “

“In the Great Southern two schools are set to lose, St Bernard’s in Kojonup with 80 primary school children is set to lose $19,012 annually, and St Joseph’s School in Pemberton with 57 primary school children will lose $6,484 annually.”

“These cuts will have to result in higher school fees for parents already struggling with cost of living pressures.”

“The only way to try and stop the cuts is to make our concerns known, and I would urge all parents, teachers and principals with concerns at these schools to contact my office so that I can present their concerns to the Minister responsible.“

Senator Judith Adams

Patron Senator for the Great Southern

Media Contact : Alana Lacy 0418 102 945 / 98 416 143