Integrated schools facing funding squeeze after Budget

Dr Kevin Shore said the 2 per cent increase in operational funding for school boards is another year where the rate of inflation has not been matched.

“This is becoming increasingly challenging for school boards and leaders as they attempt to cut their cloth to match an effectively diminishing resource,” Dr Shore said. 

“Some of our schools are fortunate in being able to generate significant locally raised funds, but that is not the case for most of our state integrated schools, and this often leads to difficult choices in terms of what services to cut and the impact on students and staff of these decisions.”

Dr Shore noted the resourcing of secondary achievement in the Budget, being a significant component of $2.1 billion invested.

“Approximately $100 million has been allocated strengthening assessment for secondary students, $80 million for resourcing the year 9-13 curriculum and $85 million for boosting vocational education and training. 

“The primary sector has not been forgotten about with further resources for literacy, writing and maths, but I note recent principal sector group commentary that is critical that the significant resources allocated in the 2025 Budget for learning support are not making a meaningful difference for some schools,” Dr Shore added.

“I hope that this commentary is being considered and responded to as it would be a tragedy if these hard-won resources do not make the difference the Minister intended.”

Dr Shore added: “Whatever your views on the current education change agenda, it is pleasing to see that at a time of austerity that education did receive a level of funding that would indicate it is a priority for this Government. 

“However, I appreciate that the needs are so great that many schools, despite this funding, are having to make difficult decisions about how to allocate a resource that cannot be stretched to meet every need.”

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