New analysis of My School data has shown a decrease in public school funding per student and increased student to teacher ratios in WA schools over the term of the Liberal Government.
The analysis of schools funding, based on My School website data, shows a drop in recurrent funding per student to schools across WA.
The analysis found WA’s public schools have seen their real per student funding drop by 10.6 per cent between 2009 and 2014, while student to staff ratios have risen from 14.5 to 15.5.
In contrast to this decrease in funding to public schools, private schools have seen their State Government funding increase during the same period.
Public schools classified as ‘Very Remote’ saw the largest decreases in State Government funding, with $2,026 less spent per student.
SSTUWA President Pat Byrne said the new report reflected the $180 million cut from public schools in 2014 and was further evidence of the government’s disregard for public education in WA.
“The WA Government has abandoned its public schools and delivered cuts which have hit disadvantaged students the hardest,” Ms Byrne said.
“Students in WA are now in bigger classes and getting less access to the individual help they need.
“We already know from the annual Report on Government Services that WA has the highest student to teacher ratios in the nation.
“This new analysis shows that student teacher ratios increased from 14.5 in 2009 to 15.5 in 2015, or 7 per cent.
“It is estimated that for a school of 300 students, it will have 1.4 teachers fewer teachers over that time period.”
The analysis of My School data by funding expert Bernie Shepherd showed that:
- WA Government per student funding to public schools dropped by 10.6 per cent ($1388 per student) between 2009 and 2014 while funding to Catholic schools was up by 8.3 per cent and Independent schools by 12.0 per cent
- Enrolments in public schools increased by 21.9 per cent from 2009 to 2015 but full time equivalent staff only increased by 13.9 per cent.
- This means that Student/ Staff ratio has risen from 14.5 to 15.5 in that period
- Combined Government funding to schools (State and Federal) has dropped by 9.2 per cent to public schools (loss of $1370 per student) and increased by 12 per cent ($1157 per student) to Catholic schools and 13.4 per cent ($1051 per student) to Independent schools.
