3 May 2022

The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) notes that there are no new initiatives that benefit non-government schools in the 2022/23 Victorian Budget released today.

CECV Executive Director Jim Miles noted that funding will flow to Catholic schools because of the 25% linkage to government school funding, which the state government introduced along with the Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.

‘This funding to Catholic schools takes pressure off the budget bottom line’, Mr Miles said.

‘We understand and acknowledge that balancing the needs of various portfolios and competing priorities is difficult for all state and territory governments after the past two years of COVID-19.’

Mr Miles said all teachers, no matter what school they work in, have worked tirelessly throughout rolling lockdowns to deliver world-class education remotely and to assist struggling families.

‘As a result, we have spent considerable money to support our principals, staff and students through a range of initiatives such as mental health programs and fee relief for parents, much of which is ongoing.

‘At the same time, we must also continue to keep up with growth to meet student demand in both Melbourne and regional Victoria, and this requires growing capital commitments from government.’

With a Victorian election to be held in November, the CECV urges the government and opposition to commit to continue supporting the one-in-five students who attend Catholic schools and save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year.

Media contact: Scott Cresswell on 0433 099 044 or scresswell@macs.vic.edu.au.

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