I AM writing to clarify a number of issues in relation to Dr Michael Furtado’s recent letter “A great opportunity” (CL, 18/1/09).
The Catholic Leader correctly reports (30/11/08) that the Queensland Catholic Education Commission is urging school community leaders to engage with their local State MPs about key issues, including funding, ahead of the next state election.
Dr Furtado’s claim that this story is misleading because “it does not mention that the majority of Catholic school funding comes from the Commonwealth Government which is responsible for providing much smaller amounts to state schools” is incorrect.
While the story is focused primarily on State Government issues simply because a state election is pending, it also provides a clear breakdown of the source of Catholic school funding.
The story states that “according to latest figures (2006) average Catholic school income is made up of $5013 from the Australian Government, $2065 from the State Government and average parent contributions of $2517”.
Catholic education is grateful for the funding it receives from both State and Federal governments and continues to work collaboratively and constructively with both government and other education providers to achieve the best and most equitable outcomes for all Queensland children.
For Dr Furtado to suggest that the full picture of school funding was somehow deliberately withheld and representative of an “unjust and divisive policy process” is unfair to a commission that stands on a record of transparent, ethical and constructive action in support of Queensland’s 287 Catholic school communities.
MIKE BYRNE
Executive Director,
Queensland Catholic Education Commission
