Ku-ring-gai public schools will benefit from a share of the record $219 million in additional needs-based funding in 2017, made possible by NSW signing the Gonski agreement.

Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens SC said in 2017 local public schools will receive a total of $4,842,180 in additional needs-based funding.

“The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to deliver additional school funding based on student need,” Mr Henskens said.

“These extra resources go directly to our Ku-ring-gai schools, allowing principals to better meet the unique needs of their students and the school community.

“I have seen schools in the Ku-ring-gai electorate employ additional teachers with expertise to assist students who need extra support in key learning areas like literacy and numeracy.”

In NSW public schools, needs-based funding is distributed under the Resource Allocation Model (RAM), which uses information about student need to deliver resources where they are needed most, consistent with the Gonski recommendations.

Examples of local needs-based funding allocations in the Ku-ring-gai electorate include:

• Waitara Public School will receive $726,967, an increase of $143,645 in 2016
• Turramurra High School will receive $705,187,an increase of $66,328 in 2016
• Gordon West Public School will receive $347,004,an increase of $86,958 in 2016

Since 2014 public schools across NSW have received $504 million in extra funding helped by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government signing up to the Gonski agreement.