Schools funding
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:53): School has just gone back for 2024, and like most years, parents were scrambling to get all the supplies their kids needed to start the year: uniforms, backpacks, water bottles, lunch boxes, you name it. Buying these supplies is often a squeeze on the family budget, but at least parents can feel content that their kids will receive adequate supplies and services from our wonderful public schools. But wait – some parents of public school kids have been asked by their schools to contribute money for services such as first aid equipment, nurses, maintenance, locker hire and even their libraries, which begs the question: why aren’t our public schools adequately funded for the basic needs of students? We know that public schools are underfunded and private schools are overfunded. The Labor government need to fulfil their responsibility and ensure that Victoria’s public schools are not falling behind. Our public schools and our students deserve better.