September 3, 2024

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The Australian Secondary Principals' Association (ASPA) welcomes the bilateral agreement announced today between the Federal and Western Australian Governments to increase funding for WA public schools. Under the 50/50 agreement the WA government will contribute 77.5% of the SRS from 2026, while the Commonwealth Government will increase their share to 22.5%.

 

ASPA President, Andy Mison, commended both governments for their commitment to Australia’s future. “We applaud the Prime Minister, the WA Premier, and Education Ministers Jason Clare and Toni Buti for working collaboratively to secure this funding. This investment signifies a positive step towards ensuring that every child in Western Australia has access to a high-quality education.”

 

“The targeted investments for multi-tiered interventions, including small group tuition, and the continued implementation of the Year 1 phonics check, are crucial for identifying and addressing learning needs early on," said Mr Mison. "We expect these strategic investments to yield tangible improvements for students who need it most by 2026."

 

However, ASPA also expresses ongoing concerns regarding the calculation of the SRS. “While the agreement claims to deliver 100% of the SRS to WA public schools, the continued inclusion of capital depreciation costs in the state's share raises concerns. This accounting practice ultimately means that public schools will not actually receive the full 100% SRS funding.”

 

Mr Mison further welcomed the commitment to piloting full-service school models in four schools by 2026. “This initiative, particularly with the inclusion of a school in an outer regional or remote location, has the potential to significantly benefit students by providing wraparound support through community, health, and social services, and reduce the burdens carried by teachers.”

 

ASPA also acknowledges both governments’ commitment to addressing teacher workload intensity and staff retention, particularly in light of the establishment of a ‘Workload Intensification Taskforce’, to identify opportunities that might support Western Australian public school leader and teacher workloads

 

On the national front, ASPA welcomes the National Enabling Initiatives, particularly those focused on developing new measures for student engagement and understanding the impacts of segregation and inequity. “These are crucial steps towards a more equitable education system. We are eager to understand how these findings will translate into a fairer funding and regulatory framework for all Australian schools," Mr Mison concluded.

 

ASPA looks forward to working with both levels of government to ensure the successful implementation of this agreement and to continue advocating for the best possible outcomes for all Australian students.

 

Media enquiries: Andy Mison 0400 202 088