Every public school student deserves a quality education
We need a state government that commits to funding Victorian students to at least the national average
How do the major parties stack up in Victoria?
Labor Party
Track Record
Closed the per-student funding gap by $904 in the first two years of government
$3.8 billion for new public schools and upgrades, including more funding in one year than the Liberals did over their entire four years of government
New agreement without industrial action
Introduced Camps, Sports and Excursions fund to help families with the cost of schooling
Delivered Gonski funding to schools
Commitments
Committed to delivering billions of dollars in extra funding as part of the national public school funding agreement
$51.2 million to place over 190 mental health workers in secondary schools
Additional 700 teachers to support literacy and numeracy
$850 million funding for 100 new schools over the next 8 years
$400 million in public funds to private schools for infrastructure works including new buildings and upgrades
Providing pads and tampons in every government school free of charge
$395.8 million for dental vans visiting all public schools
School Breakfast Clubs increased from 500 to 1000 schools, and expanded to include free lunches
Liberal Party
Track Record
Devastating cuts of $625 million to public schools
Refused to deliver almost a billion dollars of Gonski funding to schools
Bitter, protacted dispute during agreement negotiations
Abolished education maintenance allowance to help families with costs of schooling
Cut literacy and numeracy coaches
Commitments
$400 million for new and upgraded public schools
$400 million in public funds to private schools for infrastructure works including new schools and upgrades
No commitments to recurrent funding for public schools
Paying for class sets of textbooks for secondary students, however it's not means-tested and will place new workload burden on schools
Compulsory phonics test for Year 1 students with no commitments to resource assistance for students
Armed police in 10 targeted secondary schools
Solar power for every Victorian school that doesn't currently have panels
Bringing back religious education during class time
What is the situation with public school education in Victoria?
Well-funded public education is essential for growing communities to thrive. Public schools educate the majority of Victorian students, including 80% of students facing disadvantage. We need investment in our schools so that every child gets the individual support they need.
The lowest funded schools in Australia
Victorian public school students are the lowest funded in the country and have been for the last 10 years. Significant recent investment by the Andrews state government has narrowed the gap by $904, but Victorian students are still $1589 per student below the national average.
There are not enough teachers
Currently, there are not enough teachers in public schools to give students the individualised attention and support they need. This is a real problem, especially for students with learning difficulties, disability or who might have problems at home.
Our teachers are overworked
Public school teachers are overworked – most work 53 hour weeks – and are not given adequate time for lesson planning and professional development. This means they are not able to deliver the quality they would like.
Our public school children deserve better
1600 extra teachers every year
Victoria needs more teachers. Victoria’s population is growing by 3000 people every week, which means that 180,000 new students will enter Victoria’s schools in the next decade.
We need a government that will commit to delivering at least 1600 new teachers every year for the next decade in addition to those needed for growth.
Increase funding for our schools
Victorian students deserve to be funded to at least the national average. We need a state government that commits to bringing Victoria’s student funding in line with the rest of the country.
Tom - Student
Tom has Asperger’s Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that affects people’s communication and socialisation abilities. Tom’s mother, Jody, says, “Kids like Tom can get so lost in the education system. There needs to be more funding to help these kids within all schools.”
Sign the petition
Despite four years of significant investment by the Andrews Government, Victorian public school students are the lowest funded in Australia – $1589 behind the national average. There are too many students who need additional support missing out.
Our public schools educate the highest number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. All students deserve individual learning support in the classroom so they can thrive.
Victorian schools need 1600 extra teachers every year.
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We’re building a massive movement for public education in Victoria – and we need you.
Together we can make sure every Victorian student gets the education they deserve.
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