Association heads have slammed the federal government’s proposal to stop funding public schools while they continue to fund non-government education. 

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a plan on Thursday to make states responsible for funding their own educational institutions, contingent on them raising their own income tax. 

Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations president Ant Dry said the plan went against everything Australians stand for. 

“This country used to pride itself on its egalitarianism. The proposal will destroy this and create a two-class system in the country,” Mr Dry said. 

“Quality education is vital - we cannot under any circumstances allow this proposal to go ahead.

“It will reduce transparency and could easily result in the government schools becoming no more than residual schools.” 

Tasmanian Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott said Tasmania would be at a weakened position when compared to other states if the plans were to be adopted.

“This would put young people at a serious disadvantage,” Mr Elliott said. 

“This could mean cuts to programs and changes to the nature of education in Tasmania that would be counterproductive.” 

Tasmanian Education Union president Helen Richardson said the proposal would devastate the learning opportunities for generations of Tasmanian students.

“Too many Tasmanian students are already being held back because of government education cuts and underfunding and Mr Turnbull’s proposal to walk away from his school funding responsibilities would further entrench disadvantage in our state,” Ms Richardson said. 

“Tasmania has the highest proportion of disadvantaged students of any state and a decision by Mr Turnbull to dodge all responsibility for funding our schools would mean the end of needs-based funding.” 

THE federal government’s plan to cut funding to state schools is delusional and damaging, Peter Kearney said.   

Mr Kearney, who was a school principal in Launceston for more than 30 years, said the proposal had the potential to severely damage the Tasmanian education system and that the pressure on funding would only become greater in the future.  

“Equal opportunity means you actually have to give more money to some kids than to others,” Mr Kearney said.   

“Do we want to go down the line where we separate kids at school on a wealth basis? It’s appalling.   

“Tasmania’s got a low socioeconomic status and we’ve got higher educational needs so I really hope this is just a passing fad … they surely can’t be serious.”