National Plan for School Improvement.

Media Release.

         The Hon Peter Garrett  MP

• Minister for School Education
• Minister for Early Childhood and Youth

State and territories today affirmed their commitment to keep negotiating on the National Plan for School Improvement, including school funding reforms and a goal to be in the top five schooling countries by 2025.

School Education Minister Peter Garrett said this was a sign of progress towards a fairer funding system.

“I’m confident we can keep working with states and territories, and with the non-government sectors, over the coming weeks so that we can get the best deal for every school and every student in the country,” he said.

“I’ll be talking to my ministerial colleagues in every jurisdiction and I urge them to approach these discussions with good will."

“This is the major opportunity to improve schooling in this country, and properly resource all our schools and classrooms so that every young Australian gets the best start in life."

“States and territories were positive in their comments about the need to lift school standards and help every student achieve, so I believe we are on the right track to getting an agreement."

“Education Ministers will be meeting again in May and I will make sure school funding and the National Plan for School Improvement is front and centre of the agenda."

“Instead this is a major much needed reform which can deliver great benefits to the nation now and into the future. For the sake of all our schools we need to work together and get this done," Mr Garrett said.