APPA Releases Schools Funding Review Submission

The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) today released its submission to the 2011 Schools Funding Review.

Click here to download APPA's submission.

Click here to download this media release.

APPA President, Norm Hart, said of the organisation’s submission:

“APPA’s views on funding for primary schools have been informed by a decade of ongoing research. As a consequence, APPA’s submission focuses on the core conditions we know are necessary for a national model of school funding.”

Mr Hart said that the existing system fails to meet the needs of students.

“The current school funding system needs an overhaul because it isn’t meeting the needs of students and most particularly those in highest need. This requires that funding be targeted to where it is needed most.”

• Ensuring per student allocations based on need
• Valuing primary students equally with secondary students
• Taking account of all recurrent funding
• Ensuring full transparency
• Promoting innovation and good practice
• Be flexible and encourage community and family engagement in school activities and philanthropic or entrepreneurial activity.

Of particular importance, APPA identified that designing and operating a national funding system requires continuing oversight and adjustment. Norm Hart said that

“The current arrangement involves state and national bodies independently allocating resources to schools according to their own particular rules and regulations. In the 21st century this is no longer adequate. APPA therefore recommends the establishment of a statutory authority that has oversight of school funding.  
  

“A new body like a statutory Schools Funding Commission is needed to ensure that the funding arrangements for all schools focus upon the core conditions that we hope the new funding agreement will reflect.”

Media contact:  Norm Hart – APPA President: 0458 010 949