Funding promise supports family engagement in learning

An election commitment from the Australian Labor Party to boost funding for family engagement would have positive outcomes for students according to the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) and Catholic School Parents Queensland (CSPQ). 

The ALP has committed to increase funding for family engagement strategies to $140,000 per year so more schools can be supported to engage families with their children’s learning. 

CSPQ Executive Director Carmel Nash said the funding promise was a significant increase on the current level of funding provided by government. 

“Research tells us, and we see in our schools all the time that when families are closely involved with a student’s learning those students have better outcomes,” Mrs Nash said. 

“The extra funding being promised by the ALP will allow CSPQ to assist families to connect and partner with their child’s school, engage in learning at home and help students to succeed.” 

QCEC Executive Director Dr Lee-Anne Perry said the funding would support strategies that keep students engaged in learning, improve attendance and develop students’ social skills. 

“We have a long history of families being engaged in valuable volunteering roles in Catholic schools but we also want to support them to be actively involved in their children’s learning. 

“This extra funding means we can assist schools to develop local strategies that engage families in learning and wellbeing in the school community and deliver longer term social, emotional and economic benefits,” Dr Perry said. 

QCEC and CSPQ have written to all major parties seeking commitments on key issues for Catholic education.  

The party responses are available at https://ceql.catholic.edu.au/resources/queensland-election-2020/.