By ALESHA CAPONE
VICTORIA University is set to lose millions of dollars in funding from the Federal Government, under a plan to boost school budgets.
Last week, the government announced they would cut $2.8 billion from higher education to help fund school reforms recommended by the Gonski review.
Victoria University – which has campuses in Footscray, Sunshine St Albans, Werribee, Newport and Melton – stands to lose an estimated $2.7 million next year under the plan.
Victoria University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins, said the institution would also lose around $4.4 million in 2015 and every year thereafter.
In a statement, Prof Dawkins said Victoria University management “would have to make difficult decisions about how to accommodate these cuts”.
“We acknowledge that the government will use the funds to contribute towards increased funding for schools and we believe in increased investment in the school sector,” Prof Dawkins said.
“However, to support such an increase by taking funding from universities sends a mixed message.
“It suggests that education funding is a zero sum game, but many studies have shown that public money invested in education at all levels returns a positive economic and social benefit to the country.
“If school students get a better opportunity for a flying start in life, but are then unable to access good quality tertiary education, then this defeats the whole purpose of investing in education.”
The Federal Government cuts come on top of TAFE funding cuts the State Government introduced last year.
According to the Victorian TAFE Association, this caused Victoria University to lose $32 million in funding, cut almost 100 staff and cancel courses which taught hospitality, business, animal studies and tourism.
Last week, Maribyrnong electorate MP Bill Shorten put out a release which said the new funding reforms would be ‘vital’ for schools in the West.
He said extra funds would be introduced for schools with students from low socio-economic backgrounds, pupils with a disability and students with limited English skills.
