More evidence of new Private School Hit List

More details are emerging of a new Labor Private School Hit List, with some New South Wales schools facing up to $4 million in cuts under proposed changes to the school funding system.

“Modelling undertaken by the independent sector shows funding for some non-government schools will be stripped away, resulting in higher school fees for parents and greater pressure on cost of living,” said Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.

“With no commitment from the Government to maintain current levels of indexation, the non-government sector is increasingly concerned about the impact this will have on overall funding,” Mr Pyne said.

Geoff Newcombe, head of NSW Independent Schools Association has said if indexation is below six per cent, the ''feasibility of the Gonski model will be struck a severe blow''. 

“Yet whenever asked, Schools Minister, Peter Garrett refuses to guarantee indexation in real terms. It is time for him to end this farce and give a clear commitment to maintain funding in real terms,” Mr Pyne said. 

“Parents with children in non-government schools who often scrimp and save to afford schools fees should rightly be worried about another hit on their finances beyond the expiry of the current funding model next year,” he said.

“With no assurances of funding at current levels being maintained in real terms, every non-government school is feasibly on the Gillard Government’s hit list,” Mr Pyne said.

April 23, 2012