THE NSW Teachers Federation has hit-out at the federal government’s proposed cuts to the Gonski school funding scheme as teachers from across the Illawarra held events this week to show their support for the scheme. 

The NSW Teachers Federation is calling on the government to honour the former Labor government’s commitment for the full six years of Gonski funding.

“Where it is being delivered, Gonski funding is making a real difference for students, but it is only after six years of funding that all schools should be at a point where they have the resources required to give every child a high quality education,’’ NSW Teachers Federation organiser Nicole Calnan said. 

“To continue to build and strengthen the initiatives and programs schools are putting into place, they need the certainty that this funding will be there in the future, the decision by the Abbott Government in its budget to cut the last two years of Gonski funding without even knowing whether the funding is making a difference is abominable.’’

Kiama MP Gareth Ward attended a morning tea held by Kiama High School staff on Wednesday and said the state government believed the Gonski scheme should be funded in its entirety. 

‘‘We had an agreement with the federal government and it doesn’t matter if it’s a Labor or Liberal government, that agreement should be adhered to, Mr Ward said.’’ 

‘‘Education should be above politics and be bi-partisan, we should be doing what’s in the best interest of students and what will give them the best possible education.’’