Tougher teacher training standards announced by the Government today will only succeed if professional support for teachers is also increased, says Australian Greens spokesperson on Schools, Senator Penny Wright.

"We all want our teachers to be of the highest possible standard, but if we are going to create more hoops to jump through we also need to provide more incentives to jump through those hoops," Senator Wright said.

Shadow Education Minister Chris Pyne is either ignorant or in denial about the state of public education in Australia, says Australian Greens spokesperson on Schools, Senator Penny Wright.

In an interview on Radio National's Breakfast program this morning about the Gonski school funding reforms, Mr Pyne argued Australia already had a world-class education system for all students, regardless of location, income and school selection.

"It is just baffling how he could make these claims which are so demonstrably false," Senator Wright said.

Revelations the Labor Government only intends increase education funding by $1 billion this year is further evidence for the need to fund the most disadvantaged schools first, says Australian Greens spokesperson for schools, Senator Penny Wright.

The Greens have also called for an agreement between State and Federal Governments before the next COAG meeting so legislation can be introduced to Parliament urgently.

Supporting and valuing teachers will do much more to address the national teacher shortage than expensive campaigns, says Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright.

"It's no surprise the Labor Government's Teach Next program has been an expensive failure. Attracting the best and brightest to teaching cannot just be about parachuting in other professions," Senator Wright said.

The Federal Government's emphasis on spin over action on the Gonski reforms cannot continue, says Australian Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Wright.

"It is disappointing but not surprising that this Government has done more to sell the need for school funding reform than taking action to address the need," Senator Wright said.

State and Federal Governments must listen to the public and take immediate action to fund the Gonski recommendations for a fairer future for all Australian children, says Australian Greens spokesperson on schools Senator Penny Wright.

Polling by the Australian Education Union released today showed nine in ten Australians support the Gonski recommendations and most would be more likely to vote for a party which increases funding for public schools.

"The  Federal Government must show leadership on this issue and make plain their funding plans," Senator Wright said.

The Federal Government's mismanagement of the Gonksi education review has put at risk a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix chronic underfunding of public schools, says Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools Senator Penny Wright.

 "The Gonski review is the biggest chance Australia has had in decades to fix a failed school funding scheme and make an investment in our children, but the Government's handling of this has been nothing short of disastrous," Senator Wright said.

As schoolkids go back to their books, it's time for education ministers to pick up their pens and sign a deal on Gonski , says Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright.

"Australian children are starting another school year without a concrete funding plan for the rest of their education," Senator Wright said.

"The clock is ticking and state and federal budget decisions are being made as we speak. If this Government is serious about getting on with the Gonski school funding model, it needs to broker an agreement with the states soon.