Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, has demanded Premier Rees gives back student disability funding to schools in the Davidson area.
This follows a recent Freedom of Information request by the NSW Liberal/Nationals, which revealed the Rees Government’s intention to slash disabilities funding for students by taking back almost $12 million in unspent funds from schools under the Funding Support (Students With Disabilities) Program.
“The decision would mean schools in Davidson would have thousands of dollars less to educate disabled students and children with special needs,” Mr O’Dea said.
“State Labor’s money grab also flies in the face of a recent state wide survey by the Public Schools Principals Forum, which reported 78% of principals ranking disabilities funding as poor/very poor.
“The report also highlighted antiquated, inflexible staffing formulae for class sizes; no support for more than one disability; excessive class sizes; and insufficient school counselling support.
“The funding recall by the incompetent Rees Government will see local schools lose tens of thousands of dollars in student disability funding.
“They include Killara High School, which will lose more than $36,400, and St Ives North Public School, which will forfeit over $17,800.
“The slashing of student disabilities funding is emblematic of the State Labor Government’s wrong priorities.
“The Rees Government is willing to spend $1 billion to improve acoustics at the Opera House, but will let children with disabilities in our public schools go without.
“This just reinforces to people in NSW what they already know – that the Labor Government in NSW is both financially bankrupt and morally bankrupt.
“In contrast, the Liberal/Nationals are committed to putting people first,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
