Teachers and parents asked to give a Gonski

Do you give a Gonski?

So far about 1000 people do give a Gonski – and have raised their hands to call for the Federal Government to urgently invest more funds into the nation’s public schools and education system.

The Australian Education Union is ramping up its campaign for the government to implement the recommendations from the Gonski Review and has launched its I Give a Gonski website and Facebook site.

AEU federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said this was one of the most important campaigns the union has ever been involved in.

“The Gonski Review has shown the funding system is failing too many kids at the moment,” he said.

“Its recommendations give us a once in a generation opportunity to put in place fairer arrangements that will provide every child with the opportunities they need.

“I would urge all teachers and parents to get involved by registering their support at the website and showing they give a Gonski.

“We are also encouraging parents and teachers to contact their local MP and ask them what they are going to do about the recommendations of the Gonski Review – that schools are underfunded to the tune of $5 billion a year and the money that is there is not getting to where it is needed the most.”

The website details the review and its recommendation that $5 billion a year is needed to deliver smaller class sizes, extra specialist teachers in areas such as literacy and numeracy, more support for high needs students, including those with disabilities, and additional training and classroom support for teachers.

The Gonski Review, the work of a panel headed by senior businessman David Gonski, has been heralded as the most comprehensive investigation into the way Australian schools are funded in almost 40 years.

Mr Gavrielatos said the campaign will extend to television advertising, letterboxing, lobbying of politicians, community events and local activities.

“We are asking two things of the politicians in Canberra – commit to the investment in schools the Gonski Review says is urgently required and make the recommendations law this year,” he said.