The federal government should not increase funds to the five per cent of Australian schools already well resourced, says a former education policy adviser.
The comment follows federal Education Minister Julia Gillard's assertion that private schools would not lose out in funding under the upcoming federal government review.
Former assistant director general of education in NSW, Jim McMorrow, says the 95 per cent of schools that currently receive government funding should be the focus of the schools' funding debate.
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"We think this debate in relation to schools' funding should give priority to the 95 per cent of schools and have it be the centre of the schools' funding arrangement and get that right for the future," Dr McMorrow told ABC Radio on Friday morning.
"Rather than have the debate taken over by the schools that are already doing a good job and operating at standards that are well above others.
"So, we say we should maintain the funding for those schools in real terms and get the policy energy behind the needs of 95 per cent of schools."
