NSW BUDGET: SCHOOL FUNDING SOARS TO RECORD HIGHS DELIVERING 900 MORE TEACHERS

A record $15 billion will be spent on school funding this year as the Government ramps up its recruitment drive to lure more quality teachers to NSW public schools.
 
As a part of this massive investment, an additional 900 full time teachers will be rolled out in schools across NSW to ensure the future success of our children and young people. This takes the total number of teaching staff in public schools to record levels never before seen in the history of the State.
 
In their last 3 years in government, Labor added only 900 teachers in total (and only 140 in 2009 and 161 in 2008).
 
Since coming to Government, the NSW Liberals and Nationals have added 4,569 teachers into the public school system.
 
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education Rob Stokes both declared this an essential investment that adds to the Government’s commitment to increase front line staff to support NSW families.
 
“This investment comes on top of our record-breaking $6 billion investment towards building and upgrading over 170 schools across the State. We are not just creating top quality learning facilities, but also investing heavily in our teachers to educate and inspire our next generation,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
This funding package also provides professional development support for teachers, targeted learning programs and wellbeing support for students, as well as operational funding for schools.
 
Mr Stokes said that only the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals can ensure schools remain properly resourced and students receive a world class, 21^st Century education. 
 
“Only outstanding educational leaders can engage students. Teachers are the engine that drives our education system, so it is essential that we not only recruit them, but continue to offer comprehensive support to teachers throughout their careers,” Mr Stokes said.
 
The government will be looking for additional teachers in disciplines of particular need, such as science, physics, mathematics and technical and applied science. New teachers will be deployed to areas experiencing population growth, such as the north west and south west Sydney. Almost $4.5 billion in recurrent funding has been allocated to support public schools in Western Sydney alone.