Minister for School Education Peter Garrett and Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll today joined local school principals, teachers and parents at Centenary State High School in Jindalee to discuss school funding and the future of Australian schooling.

Mr Garrett said the Gillard Government is holding a grassroots, nation-wide discussion with principals, teachers, parents and the community as part of its response to the recently released school funding report.

“The Gonski review of school funding has made a number of far-reaching recommendations on how we can develop a new, more effective way of funding every school in Australia,” he said.

“We’re working with the education community to test and refine the proposed new model, known as a Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). The new model would include a base amount per student plus additional funding for students and schools who need extra support.

“Under the proposed model every school in the Oxley electorate – government, Catholic and independent – would be funded under the same system. It would be fair, transparent and give all schools long-term certainty about their future funding levels.

“No reform of this size and potential can be implemented without parents, teachers and principals having their say.

“Today’s event at Centenary State High School, arranged by Bernie Ripoll, is one of many the Prime Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary for School Education Senator Jacinta Collins and I will be hosting over the coming months as we speak with school communities about the recommendations of the report.

“It’s also a great opportunity for us to share ideas about the issues and challenges facing Australian schools and provide information about the Government’s school improvement reforms.”

Mr Ripoll said schools in Oxley were already benefiting from the Gillard Government’s record investment in school education.

“So far, we’ve seen 3,694 computers delivered to senior high school students at 14 schools in my electorate, while 15 local schools have benefitted from extra funding under the Smarter Schools National Partnerships to help improve literacy and numeracy and overcome disadvantage,” he said.

“There are 25 schools receiving funding for a school chaplain, and students at three local schools are benefitting from two new Trade Training Centres.

“And in every school I visit I hear from principals, teachers, student and parents about the terrific new facilities they now have, thanks to the Building the Education Revolution program. There have been 116 projects at 36 schools in the electorate, with the Government investing more than $90 million locally.

“We have some great schools in our region but we want to make them even better and ensure that every local student will have access to a world-class education.

“I encourage everyone in the Oxley community to have their say on the future of our schools by visiting the website and taking part in one of the online forums being held in the next few months.”

Schools across Queensland are benefitting from the Gillard Government’s record investment in school education, including new classrooms and facilities under 5,374 BER projects, and 67 new Trade Training Centres. More than 410 schools are receiving extra support under the Smarter Schools National Partnerships.

More information about the school funding review, including future community forums and other events, is available at www.schoolfunding.gov.au.