Rudd revolution to start in schools

Kevin07's education revolution begins on Tuesday for schools but the higher education sector will have to wait until 2009-10 to see any funding shake-up, analysts say.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made $6 billion worth of education commitments exclusively focused on schooling during last year's election campaign.

Universities were promised a review, and until it's completed the status quo will be maintained.

The revolution isn't going to be televised but it will be beamed around the country on laptops connected to the internet.

Labor will invest $1 billion over four years to ensure every student in Years 9-12 has access to their own computer.

The government has already invested $100 million in the plan and will inject another $400 million through the coming 2008-09 budget.

Also expect to see the first wave of funding towards the 10-year $2.5 billion scheme to put trades training centres in high schools.

The prime minister has pledged a further $2.3 billion worth of tax breaks for families purchasing education-related equipment, although that won't kick in until July 2009 when parents lodge their tax returns.

Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president Angelo Gavrielatos says these big-ticket items are "laudable" but fall short of meeting the immediate needs of public schools.

"The government's own research shows public schools nationwide are underfunded to the tune of $2.9 billion per year," Mr Gavrielatos said.

"Budget day is when the first assessment will be made as to whether the education revolution is more than just a slogan."

In particular the AEU wants to see an additional $1.7 billion over five years to deliver high-quality education to indigenous children in the Northern Territory.

Labor promised just $60.6 million over four years for 200 additional teachers.

Other expected budget measures are a four-year $25.9 million commitment to build three new boarding secondary colleges in the Northern Territory; $450 million over five years to give every four-year-old 15 hours of preschool per week; and $84 million over four years to guarantee vocational students in Years 9-12 have access to one day a week of on-the-job training.

The cupboard will almost certainly be bare for the higher education sector - except for a promise of slightly more fellowships and scholarships.

That's because the government is waiting for the recommendations of a major review announced in March which will report at the end of the year.

ANU higher education analyst Bruce Chapman says it would be "inappropriate" for Labor to make any funding changes before the review ran its course.

"I would be completely shocked if this budget did anything at all that was going to compromise the ... review," Professor Chapman said.