Non-government schools in the Clarence region have received more than $200,000 in additional funding to put into resources where they are most needed, Clarence Nationals MP, Chris Gulaptis, announced last Thursday. Mr Gulaptis said the following schools would benefit from additional Gonski funding, which is calculated on a needs basis: • Pacific Valley Christian School • Clarence Valley Anglican School • St Andrew’s Christian School • Casino Christian School “Schools know best what these needs are and how to direct these funds – for teacher’s aides to support students with disability, for teacher training or for literacy and numeracy intervention programs.” Education Minster Rob Stokes said the NSW Government is providing more than $45 million to Catholic and Independent schools in 2017; up from the $25 million in 2016. The funding comes from the NSW Government under the National Education Reform Agreement, also known as the “Gonski” reforms. Under the 2013 agreement between the federal and state governments, Government, Catholic and Independent schools would all be funded to the same standard. Investment is provided on the basis of student need, such as low socio-economic status, Aboriginality and students with disability. “The NSW Government passionately supports the existing Gonski agreement because of the benefits this funding brings to our students, Mr Stokes said. “We will continue to advocate for the federal government to honour this agreement.” The payment, to schools below the School Resource Standard, is the first of two to be made this year. In 2017, the NSW government will provide $1.1 billion in funding for the non-government school sector, of which $60 million is additional funding. Government school funding figures will be announced later this year.