There is vast inequity between rich and poor in school outcomes in South Australia. A high proportion of socio-economically disadvantaged students in South Australia do not achieve national literacy and numeracy standards. There is a huge gap in school outcomes between advantaged and socio-economically disadvantaged students.
School funding in South Australia remains heavily biased against public schools. Government funding increase have favoured Catholic and Independent schools over public schools. Public schools have fewer resources than private schools and are significantly underfunded while Catholic and Independent schools are overfunded.
The new funding agreement between the Commonwealth and South Australian governments will provide a significant boost in funding for public schools by 2034. However, public schools will continue to be underfnded until 2034 and beyond.
The South Australian Greens support fully funding public schools by 2029. Here is the response by Robert Simms, Member of the Legislative Council of South Australia, to quesiotns put to election candidates by Save Our Schools.
1. Do you support full funding of South Australian public schools by 2029?
Yes – Support.
The Greens announced our policy to scrap public school fees:
https://www.robertsimms.org.au/labor_copies_greens_homework_by_adopting_second_greens_policy_in_a_week_with_plan_to_scrap_public_school_fees
This policy has since been adopted by Labor:
https://www.robertsimms.org.au/labor_copies_greens_homework_by_adopting_second_greens_policy_in_a_week_with_plan_to_scrap_public_school_fees
2. Do you support a revision of the funding agreement between the Commonwealth and South Australian governments to require the South Australian Government to increase its funding share of public schools to 75% of their SRS by 2029s?
The Greens support an increase in funding to be committed by the Commonwealth Government of 25% before 2029.
3. Do you support removing all special allowances in the current Commonwealth-South Australian bilateral funding agreement that allow the South Australian Government to defund public schools by including non-school expenditures as part of its share of the SRS?
The Greens support abolishing the Morrison-era loophole that allows for states and territories to deduct 4% of non-classroom costs from their SRS funding contribution.
4. Do you support the new Strategy for Public Education that show early positive gains in education outcomes by giving priority to inclusion, wellbeing and increased equity in school outcomes?
Yes – Support.