Bega schools could miss out if Gonski funding ceases

The Gonski funding program is scheduled to last for six years and is being provided to schools on a needs basis after the Gonski Review found a lack of resources was denying too many children the education they need.

This is the third year of the program, with the majority of the funds to be allocated to schools in years five and six.

However, the federal government has not committed to continue the funding past the fourth year, so schools around Bega have been raising awareness of what a difference the funding has made to the educational programs they can offer. 

At Bega High School, so far the Gonski funding has provided support for children with disabilities, a permaculture program, professional learning events, assisted with cultural awareness experiences for Indigenous students, supported students on the SRC and provided an alternate learning space for students requiring literacy and numeracy assistance. 

If funding continues, these programs will continue to be supported and the school’s technology resources will be expanded. 

“We need the funding to give our kids the same opportunities their city counterparts have,” Bega High deputy principal Jenny Mace said. 

“We want to make a great school even better.” 

At Bega Valley Public School, the Gonski funding has been invested into technology, provided additional literacy and numeracy programs as well as extra professional learning for teachers, created an Indigenous culture program and employed extra staff to assist students with a disability.

If the funding continues, the school will continue or expand these programs.

Bega Valley Public teacher Rob Lenon said if the funding is not provided for years five and six of the Gonski program, it will add a degree of uncertainty to schools.

“Schools will be trying to make ends meet without the resources to make sure their students have the best start in life,” he said. 

The school’s principal, Carolyn Nugent, said Gonski was one of the most fundamental reforms to happen to public schools. 

“We are asking the federal government to acknowledge that we need the funding,” she said.

“It is critical for us to continue on the successful path we are already on.

“We have already started with a list of programs and we are seeing great results.” 

Members of the community are able to register their support for the full implementation of Gonski funding here.