INCREASES in education funding announced this week for local schools demonstrate the intrinsic fairness of the Gonski school funding model and why this Gillard government initiative survived a change of government and the recriminations that too often destroy the good policy legacy of governments of all political persuasions.
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The Gonski funding reforms were a watershed for education funding in Australia, a fact recognised by the NSW government, which was the first to sign up to an agreement that has delivered more money where it is most needed.
In Orange, Glenroi Public School was a big winner from the additional $97 million announced by Premier Mike Baird, but it was not the only one.
Several schools received additional money, albeit Glenroi received by far the biggest amount, a reflection of its position according to the needs-based Resource Allocation Model (RAM).
Under Gonski and the RAM criteria, factors such as the socio-economic status of families, Aboriginality, the level of public housing and whether English is spoken at home all help determine the extra level of support a school community needs.
In the case of Glenroi the substantial extra funding it received reflected the challenges students face and resources teachers will need to achieve the outcomes society expects.
Directing considerably more money per student to schools where students need it is the only way we can hope to produce the educational improvements politicians, commentators and obviously parents want.
Education is only one of the factors which determines the living standard and life expectancy of our citizens but it is one of the most important.
Other stories in the media this week, including the findings of the latest report into indigenous disadvantage show quite clearly that by many measures the gap between indigenous Australians and the wider population is not closing fast enough.
Education, which ultimately flows through to affect health and employment will continue to be a key element which is why the Gonski approach to funding it is both fair and effective.