The NSW Government has announced its school budget allocations for 2019, with a record $1.18 billion being distributed to more than 2,200 public schools across NSW.

State Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP, said NSW schools would collectively receive more than $100 million on top of last year’s record amount. With Ku-ring-gai schools receiving more than $6,335,000.

“Our schools can use the additional funds in whatever way our school communities decide will best meet their unique learning and teaching needs,” Mr Henskens said.

“That can be to continue to hire more teachers or administrative staff, for example, or to provide additional support to kindergarten students or to mentor and assist existing staff or to buy new iPads, instruments or sports equipment.”

“Where Labor closed schools, we provide record funding. Today’s announcement demonstrates again that only the NSW Liberals & Nationals can deliver real results for the people of Ku-ring-gai,” Mr Henskens said.

Education Minister, Rob Stokes, said the funding, known as Resource Allocation Model (RAM) funding, gives school principals freedom to spend their allocated funds to deliver the best outcomes for their students.

“I am incredibly proud of the outstanding educational leaders in our public schools and their ability to engage students. RAM funding provides greater resources to enable them to direct funding to cater to the needs of their particular student body,” he said.

The additional funding will be provided through an increase to every school’s per-student allocation, increased funding to students from low socio-economic backgrounds, and additional support for small schools with teaching principals.

The RAM payments were introduced in 2014 as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to needs-based funding and ensure that every school receives a fair and transparent allocation of the State’s public education budget.