The Numbers Still Don’t Add Up for Education Funding

“The OECD ‘Education at a Glance 2007’ Report is unfortunately, and once again, an indictment on the Howard government’s incapacity to ensure that Australia’s education system is adequately resourced to be competitive in the globalised economy,” said Independent Education Union Federal Secretary Lynne Rolley.

“Given the Federal Government’s recent announcement of a $17 billion surplus, the Australian community can legitimately accuse the Howard government of being derelict in its responsibilities on high quality education”, she said.

Compared to education, training and research in North America, Western Europe, Singapore, Korea and China, Australia is going backwards. Our total spending on education was once well above the OECD average. Now it is below the OECD average and falling.

“The Federal Government has failed to properly invest in the nation’s educational infrastructure. For instance, despite the importance of early learning (for 3 to 5 year olds) – the foundation for everything that happens later - the Howard government spends a tiny 0.1% of GDP on early learning (one-fifth of the OECD average). This government is failing to provide the resources which will ensure that every child has the opportunity to realise their potential”, she said.

“A nation of our wealth and prosperity deserves a better deal on education than what the Howard government has provided.”

“It means that increasingly the cost burden for education is falling on Australian families and this is occurring at a time when there is increasing uncertainty about interest rates, housing affordability and job security under Workchoices,” said Ms Rolley.

“Yet in spite of poor government policy and inadequate funding over the past decade, Australian students have been highly competitive in the international surveys. An indication of the commitment and dedication of this nation’s teachers and school staff” said Ms Rolley.