Schools in frontline of the multicutural society

The decision to end Gonski funding from 2018 effectively cut two-thirds of the total extra funding promised, around $1.2 billion in NSW alone.

As well as children from non-English speaking backgrounds, the Federal Government has effectively given up on children from low-income families, children from outside major cities, children with disability and indigenous children. There is no recognition that some children's education is affected by social disadvantage, and that this can be addressed through our school system.

Needs-based funding approach is the only way to give these children the well-resourced schools they need to reach their potential. This should mean more money for the public school system because these are the schools that educate the neediest. To invite migrants to this country, and to then fail to properly fund the schools their children will need is short-sighted. Failing to give all children an education that allows them to make the most of their talents is short-sighted.

Australia's economic success in the 21st century will depend on how well we develop the diverse human capital represented by our children. The first step to doing this is to give all of them a quality education.