Schools ask for review of funding cuts
The heads of boards from 15 independent public schools have sent a strongly worded letter to Premier Colin Barnett complaining about the State Government's intransigence over cuts to school budgets.
The chiefs from secondary schools in the north metropolitan region - including flagship schools such as Perth Modern, Churchlands Senior High and Shenton College - said they wrote to Mr Barnett two months ago to outline their "serious concerns" about the "unprecedented funding cuts" facing WA public schools.
"We clearly see the significant impact that these cuts will have on our schools' ability to provide essential services to our students and deliver a quality education," they said.
Ocean Reef Senior High School board chairman Paul Blomley said Mr Barnett had refused to meet them and they found it strange he had been so dismissive after his high praise of the independent public school system.
The letter urged Mr Barnett to review his decision to introduce the funding changes and asked him to meet the group to discuss their concerns.
They said schools would receive 600 fewer teachers than they would have expected next year under the previous funding model and they would not be able to offer as many courses.
Asked about the letter in Parliament yesterday, Mr Barnett said he had declined the group's offer because he received so many requests to meet school communities, but had asked Education Minister Peter Collier to meet them.
Mr Collier said he had invited the 15 heads of the boards to meet him.
