Trends in Australian education policy
Title of policy: Funding the Australian school system: In light of the Gonski Review
Date it came to effect:
Web address: (http://foi.deewr.gov.au/node/30439/)
In Australia, Education is valued by most people. The government makes it a point to review the education policies regularly to ensure that overall education performance is improved (Gonski et al, 2011, p.14).
The Gonski review was a review commissioned by federal government of Australia to look into the funding systems of schools in Australia. David Gonski with the help of a panel of experts had to consult and research to come up with a report on Australian funding that could accommodate all Australian children irrespective of color, race, religion or disability (Ricci, 2013, para.2). The aim of the panel was to come up with a review that addressed the current funding system and its challenges. In addition, it had to come up with solutions and recommendation to a funding system that is efficient, fair and sustainable, and could provide quality education in the end.
In Australia, education should be accessed by all groups of people whether poor, rich or disabled. As long as one is an Australian, he or she deserves the right to quality education.
The aims of the review are as stated below
To improve the overall performance of education in Australian schools
To bridge the gap that exists among several students. For example, quality of education of children with disabilities, students with low English proficiency and children from poor economic status.
To provide a system that could produce confident and creative citizens
To encourage coherence and transparency in the funding system.
Funding arrangement
After several months of research, Gonski and his team found it responsible to restructure the current funding system. Through a thorough analysis and consultation, it was discovered that the current system was not fair in terms of fund distribution. Funds were allocated equally, however, avoided the concept of equity. Therefore, some areas gained more than others did. In addition, some groups of children were neglected in the funding process arguing that they were less competitive in terms of developmental issues were concerned. Schools in cities got the best teachers and better teaching resources, while, schools in the remote areas never got enough attention when the funding system was being drafted ( Lingard & Ozga, 2007, p.4).
The current funding arrangement by schools was considered complex and lacked transparency. Some duplication of funding were detected in certain areas, meaning that some schools got double funding that created an imbalance while analyzing the funding responsibilities of the Australian government alongside schooling sectors. In addition, the economic status of other societies could not allow the corresponding states to supply adequate (Ball, 2008, p.37).Therefore, such irregularities in terms of structure of funding had to be reviewed and restructured. In the end, the following recommendations were made in order to make the funding structure fair and sustainable.
The federal government had to identify their specific roles in terms of funding. This would make it easier to know which sector is incoherent and does not follow the policies of funding as stipulated. For example, in case an audit is done to determine how funds were allocated, the people doing the audit will know roles played by the federal government, state/ territory government and schooling systems. The suspects would be accountable if found guilty of corruption or neglecting of rules.
The issue of equity should be practiced more than equality, whereby government schools where there are large numbers of disadvantaged students. In addition, the funding should be based on a new schooling and management resource standard. In order to carry out a fair funding framework, there should be collaboration between the federal government, state government and school representatives to give an estimate of the number of pupils and students per school. This will allow the state to strategize a system that will allocate funds depending on the number of children a school accommodates and the status of each student (Ball, 2008, p.20).
The implementation process is required to take place after proper infrastructural development is done. The government should look for more funding through increasing revenues so to meet the demands of the new funding system.
The target audiences in this review are the key funding stakeholders. That is the federal government of Australia and the state or territory governments. These two groups are responsible for collaborating with the different schools and know their status quo. In the end, they will determine the nature of funding to be designed.
Considering this review, it is vital to note that all Australian children will have equal chances of quality education. In the end, the state will have citizens who are experts in their fields of study and contribute more in increasing the countries national income.
As a professional primary school teacher, I apprehend the Gonski review. The panelists took a perfect approach in analyzing several situations that may affect student performance. the issue of funding of schools not only affect the students. It also affects the teachers in several schools. The funding should not only include financial resources in terms of school fees and teacher salary, but should include other learning resources like proper infrastructure and other amenities that can make a student comfortable. For example, there are students who may not manage to walk certain distances to get to school. At the same time, their parents may not be in a position to drop them to school due to personal reasons. Therefore, the state should provide enough buses for the given government schools and make sure that all pupils enjoy the facilities.
The education policy in Australia has motivated me to help the children understand the importance of quality education to the society. The step taken by Gonski and his group means that they are concerned about the quality of education delivered within schools in Australia. As a teacher, the funding system will allow me to undertake certain trainings sponsored by the school that will help students in their future lives. For example, Hiv and AIDs studies are relevant to be taught in early stages of schooling. Teachers should have a background on such concepts and give the students HIV/ AIDS talk in order to help them keep out of dangerous activities.
According to Ball the education policy in the twenty first century, should incorporate advanced technology in all schools irrespective of location of the school. All students whether in government or private schools should have access to fast internet that will help them in research. The libraries should be stocked with current books that have information that is more relevant and corresponds to the complex industrialized society.
The education policy in Australia is fair as it is trying to outdo incompetent structures and corrupt people. With the help of a well-structured funding system that identifies the different roles played by various stakeholders in the funding system, the incompetent people will be punished if found guilty of corrupt ideas. Australian schools will be in apposition of rating high in terms of performance as it used to be in previous decades. In the end, the country will produce experts and desired by the federal government.
Reference List
Ball, S. J. (2008). The Education Debate: Policy and Politics in the Twenty-First Century.
Bristol, UK: Policy Press
Gonski et al, (2011). Review of funding for schooling: Final report. Retrieved March 15, 2013,
from
http://foi.deewr.gov.au/node/30439/
Lingard, B. & Ozga, J. (2007). The Routledge Falmer Reader in Education Policy and Politics.
New York: Routledge. (pp. 1-8)
Ricci, C. (2013). What next for Gonski review? Retrieved March 15, 2013, from
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/what-next-for-gonski-review-20130215-2ehqx.html
