Rural schools could see win
KEY independent MP Rob Oakeshott said regional students would be among the biggest winners from the overhaul to education funding unveiled by Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday.
Under the changes, to be phased in over the next six years, federal and state governments would be required to find an additional $6.5 billion annually for education.
It would also involve a shift to a "needs-loadings" system, whereby indigenous students, those with a disability, those with limited English skills and students from poor backgrounds would receive extra funding.
Both changes were among the key recommendations arising from the Gonski review of education funding.
Mr Oakeshott urged Ms Gillard to be "brave" in pursuing the reform.
"Those who listened to a certain 17-minute speech two years ago would appreciate that one of the key reasons the Prime Minister gained office was because her education plan was better for regional Australia, for poorer Australians and for Aboriginal Australians," Mr Oakeshott said.
Late last month Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said the reform would threaten over a dozen country schools in the region.
"All the Gonski Review has done is take a red marker and cut money from schools in small country towns," he said.
But under the scheme additional funds will be given to schools in rural or remote areas. Ms Gillard said the changes would be phased in over the next six years.
