WE continuously hear the word "Gonski" on the news and the radio, yet many do not know what it is or who it applies to.
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We know it is about education, but what exactly?
The Gonski review is a program that allows schools to have the resources to enhance education.
Many schools across the country have insufficient funding, meaning children miss the opportunities that are needed to help them learn.
According to the Gonski website, almost half of all public schools (45 per cent) described themselves as under-resourced.
Funding was put in place in 2014 after the independent Gonski review warned too many children were under-performing because of a lack of resources.
All schools are funded according to the individual needs of their students. Gonski allows schools to have smaller classes, specialist teachers, speech therapists and physiologists, one-on-one support and better teacher training.
Ninety-five per cent of public schools that have received over $200,000 in Gonski grants have said it has made a significant difference.
If Gonski has been shown to improve student outcomes, then it is imperative we keep funding it.
Gonski does affect us. Gonski affects the standard of education of young Australians. These are the major stakeholders in Australia's future.
So why is it in the news so much at the moment? Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull has announced he will not deliver Gonski in full.
It has been claimed his alternative policy will hurt disadvantaged students and leave schools at least $3 billion short of the resources they need.
However, Mr Turnbull's plan would see an extra $1.2 billion go to schools from 2018-2020, increasing funding by 3.56 per cent per student per year.
So, what has the Opposition promised? Labor is promising to invest $4.5 billion into the nation's schools by fully funding Gonski, a promise they made when last in office.
The party has also pledged, if it wins, to reverse the $30 billion reduction to school funding over the next decade, revealed by the Coalition in its 2014 budget.
The policy is expected to cost an extra $4.5 billion over 2018 and 2019, with the total package expected to cost $37.3 billion over the decade.
Gonski does affect us. Gonski affects the standard of education of young Australians. These are the major stakeholders in Australia's future.
If we as a country do not invest in our future, these young Australians will not have the opportunity to make a positive influence in the world.
Education is the only tool that allows people to change their future - and so the future of Australia.
We as a country should support initiatives that prove results will rise. If we don't, who will.
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