Ten year funding package welcomed
News
Catholic Education SA has welcomed the decision by the State Government to lock in funding for non-government schools through to 2034, following the finalisation of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement with the Federal Government.
The State Government will continue to provide 22 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to non-government schools for the next 10 years, exceeding its election commitment to deliver the 22 per cent over this term of government.
In total, the new Better and Fairer Schools Agreement will provide more than $60 billion to public and non-government schools over the next 10 years.
This includes an additional $1.25 billion for the State’s public schools while they move toward reaching 100 per cent of the SRS by 2034.
Premier Malinauskas said the new agreement would see the Catholic and Independent sectors continue to focus on reading, writing and maths.
“Schools across the non-government sectors will continue to promote the use of a phonics checks, support teachers to engage in STEM, strengthen student-centred approaches to wellbeing and seek to increase teacher attraction and retention by empowering leadership,” he said.
“This State Government commitment ensures that all of our schooling sectors can continue to deliver quality education that focuses on equity and excellence, student wellbeing and engagement, while also focusing on supporting our teaching workforce in South Australia.”
CESA executive director Dr Neil McGoran said the “significant commitment” would both inform long-term planning and provide a tangible benefit to all Catholic schools in South Australia for at least the next 10 years.
“This is an excellent outcome for our families and for Catholic Education and importantly supports our efforts to ensure that Catholic schools are truly accessible for all,” he said.
“Together with our school communities and families, we remain deeply committed to delivering a high-quality education that empowers every student to thrive.”
