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Thursday, 24 September 2020
Catholic Education in the ACT is dismayed by ACT Labor’s continued commitment to proceed with planned funding cuts for Catholic schools.
Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn has had ongoing discussions with ACT Labor about the impact that cuts will have on Catholic schools in Canberra.
Director of Catholic Education, Mr Ross Fox called on Labor to reconsider their school funding cut policy.
“Families who send their children to Catholic schools in Canberra have been left wondering why ACT Labor does not value their choice of school,” Mr Fox said.
“School choice has always been supported by successive ACT Governments, but Labor is making it much harder for Catholic schools to remain affordable.
“ACT Labor’s policy of funding cuts will put pressure on fees in an environment where every dollar matters to families.”
“ACT Labor will add to cost of living pressures for families with their school funding cuts.”
“School fees are going to rise as a result of ACT Labor’s decision.”
Catholic Education has been working with both the Government and Opposition to reverse planned cuts to Catholic schools, recently welcoming the Canberra Liberals funding plan.
“We know that the ACT Government funds public schools well, and that is important, but Canberra families also want well-funded and affordable Catholic schools too,” Mr Fox said.
“The ACT is currently the lowest funder of Catholic schools of any state/territory when compared with the way they fund Government schools.”
Mr Fox said that Catholic school communities were grateful that the Canberra Liberals had heard their calls to fund Catholic schools at a rate of 25% of ACT Government school costs.
“The Canberra Liberals have shown that they understand the needs of Catholic schools in Canberra.”
“It is now up to the Government to reverse their school funding cut policy.”
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