This open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was published on 27 Nov 2023 by the For Every Child campaign. Parents Victoria is one of 52 organisations who have endorsed this letter.
Here is the full text of the letter:
Every child has the right to learn and to be supported to reach their full potential at school. That is the principle that unites our diverse organisations and it is why we have joined together to support the full funding of public schools.
Properly funded public schools, in every community, are the best way to ensure that children, no matter their background or circumstances, can have their needs met and that the teaching profession has the resources and tools needed to deliver a high quality education.
But right now, only 1.3% of public schools are funded at the minimum level governments agreed was required more than a decade ago. This must change. We welcome your commitment to work with state and territory governments to fix this unacceptable situation and fully fund public schools. The agreements you reach with each government next year should ensure every public school is fully funded by 2028, at the latest.
Education is closely linked to the life chances of Australia’s children and the prosperity of our nation and the need for this life-changing investment is urgent and must not be further delayed. Its benefits would be profound for our children and our country.
Our children deserve a better, fairer and inclusive education system. Fully funding public schools is a precondition to achieving that. It is also essential to realising your vision that no-one in our country is held back and no-one is left behind. Our children are counting on you and your government.
