Independent Schools Australia (ISA) has welcomed the announcement of additional funding for Northern Territory public schools to get them to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2029, but reiterates that every student should be fully and fairly funded, regardless of which school they attend or where they are located.
Independent Schools Australia (ISA) has welcomed the announcement of additional funding for Northern Territory public schools to get them to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2029, but reiterates that every student should be fully and fairly funded, regardless of which school they attend or where they are located.
Under the ‘Statement of Intent’, the Commonwealth will provide an extra $737.7 million between 2025 and 2029 and the NT Government at least an extra $350 million to ensure public schools in the territory reach 100 per cent of their SRS.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Northern Territory public schools and communities,’’ ISA Chief Executive Officer Graham Catt said. “We look forward to a commitment from the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments to fully and fairly fund all Independent schools in the upcoming bilateral agreements.”
Non-government schools in the Northen Territory currently receive around five per cent less from the territory government than the 20% share of the SRS that all other state and territories provide to non-government schools.
There are 25 Independent schools in the NT, 10 of which are Majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Schools, including those enrolling students from remote communities. These schools educate 5,863 students, 1,326 of whom are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and 1,650 are students with disability.
Many Independent schools in the Northern Territory are educating some of the most disadvantaged students in Australia and have minimal or no capacity to raise private income through fees.
“We must not leave these schools behind,” Mr Catt said. “Governments must provide certainty and stability for all schools in all sectors, and ensure equitable education opportunities for students across the Northern Territory.”
ISA is the national peak body representing 1,209 Independent schools with 688,638 enrolled students (full time equivalent), accounting for approximately 17 per cent of Australian school enrolments and a workforce of 115,090 people.