Funding push to help at-risk students

MORE Federal Government funding could be the key to stopping students from misbehaving and having to be removed from school.

The Queensland Teachers Union urged Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to reverse a “$1.9 billion cut in public school funding” so among other priorities, principals would be able to hire more guidance counsellors to help children and young people with behavioural issues.

The Federal Government provides 20 per cent of state school funding and 80 per cent of funding for private schools, QTU Gold Coast representative Jodie Walsh said.

“The QTU would like to see more guidance officers, particularly in primary and special schools, to help children manage their behaviour and overcome any short or long-term problems they are having,” she said.

“The Fair Funding Now campaign is also dedicated to making sure that federal school funding is based on student need, so that students who need extra help in the classroom can get that help, which can improve their behaviour.”

But Mr Birmingham was adamant that there is sufficient federal money flowing into state schools.

“This means there’s no reason schools won’t be able to continue to support teachers and new or existing initiatives, such as specialist teachers or targeted intervention programs,” he said.

“Also, following a recent review into how to ensure our record and growing investment in schools is used as effectively as possible, we will work with the states and territories and school systems to ensure schools and teachers are armed with the most effective and evidence-based methods and reforms to help deliver better outcomes for Australian students.”