Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – The Labour Party government led by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has recognized the importance and quality of Catholic education and has created a funding package for Catholic schools.
In the new funding package, public schools are to receive 70 percent of nearly $14 billion in new funding for all schools, or $9.6 billion. $2.7 billion are alloted to Catholic schools, in order to amplify their buildings, capacity, and activities.
The measure is still awaiting a definitive vote in the government, however observers say that it will soon pass. The funds would be distributed in all the Australian states and territories.
The announcement has received wide appraisal from the Catholic Church in various dioceses. In the Diocese of Parramatta, Executive Director of Schools, Greg Whitby, said Catholic schools in western Sydney would welcome the additional funding for school infrastructure. Representing 77 primary and secondary Catholic systemic schools in western Sydney, Mr. Whitby said Catholic schools were facing tougher financial times this year because of greater fee relief to families affected by the global financial crisis.
Melbourne's Director of Catholic Education, Stephen Elder, also welcomed the Federal Government's announcement. "I certainly welcome any announcement that will assist primary schools with capital expenditure projects, including libraries and performing arts centers, and provide money to secondary schools for the construction of science and language laboratories. The announcement of a back to school bonus is another feature of the government's package which is very pleasing. Catholic schools educate one in five students in Victoria and many are from low socio-economic backgrounds and they will be the big winners,” Mr. Elder said.
The quality of education in Catholic schools in Australia is greatly valued by Australian families and the number of students is on the rise. Several schools have begun, in an effort to raise the education standards among Aboriginal communities which often have lesser opportunities.
Catholic schools are appreciated for their serious academic level, the quality of the faculty, the facilities, and most of all, the moral values that they seek to transmit in the education. The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in 1820. There are currently nearly 1,700 Catholic schools in the country, with over 640,000 students and 40,000 teachers. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2009)
