Victorian teachers are preparing to stage mass rallies aimed at Premier Jacinta Allan, Education Minister Ben Carroll, and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes in protest against what they say is serious underfunding of public education.
The planned action follows reports from Nine newspapers earlier this month that the state government had delayed its full commitment to the Gonski education reforms by three years, effectively stripping $2.4 billion from public school budgets. The Age claimed that Premier Allan had approved the funding delay.
Ms Allan has rejected claims that her government has backed away from the Gonski reforms.
Union Plans Escalation
The Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch has sent a letter to public school teachers outlining its plans to escalate the funding campaign. This includes urging parents to join the effort by sending mass emails to the premier and education minister, as well as participating in public rallies.
AEU Victorian president Justin Mullaly said the rallies would take place outside school hours and would be staged at the offices of the premier, education minister, treasurer, and other senior MPs.
“The government has been duplicitous,” Mr Mullaly said.
“They claim to support public education, yet fail to provide the necessary funding.”
He stressed that the protests are not being taken lightly.
“This is a response to the state government’s failure to deliver the resources our students, teachers, and schools need.”
Government Defends Its Position
In response, the Victorian government said it signed an agreement with the federal government in January to fully meet the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2034.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said the state had committed to covering 75 per cent of the SRS, with funding to increase incrementally over the course of the agreement.
“Our priority has always been to ensure that every child, no matter where they live, receives a free, world-class education in a government school,” Mr Carroll said.
He added that discussions with the federal government are ongoing and “will not be negotiated through the media.”
