Let’s ensure schools can do the job we ask them to do

Marking the start of National Literacy and Numeracy Week, Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright, today once again emphasised the importance of a properly funded and valued public education system.

 "We have so many enthusiastic and dedicated teachers in our public school system who work tirelessly every day to bring out the best in our children and prepare them for the world outside the classroom," Senator Wright said.

 "But, increasingly, many teachers are now trying to teach with one hand tied behind their back.  The Gonski review has rung clear alarm bells that our education system is unfair and our international performance on literacy and numeracy is slipping.

 "Fortunately, Gonski has also shown us how to start fixing the system by injecting serious money into our schools and funding them on the basis of need.

 "Public schools educate two out of three Aussie kids and the lion's share of those who come from a disadvantaged background.  Education funding needs to reflect the big job we expect of our schools - to educate our citizens for the future.

 "This is the biggest chance we have had in more than a generation to make things fairer for all our children. We need to get on with Gonski and get its principles of consistency and fairness into legislation by the end of the year.

 "Good teachers don't only teach their students how to read and write, they also nurture the best in them and inspire them to dream big and become what they want to become.

 "With a fairer funding system in place for 2014, we will all be winners; our kids, our teachers and our nation alike."