2025 ELECTION PRIORITIES AND COMMITMENTS

A number of election promises have been made in the first week of school, with some common themes. From a ‘big picture’ state funding priority perspective, WAPPA has consistently advocated for resources, programs and funding that address the following three issues:

1. A Better Deal for Primary Funding

2. Support for Students with Complex Needs

3. Investment in School Infrastructure & Regional Housing

Within these three priority areas there are flow on issues, such as school leader workload and support, leadership attraction and retention, and so on. As expected, all of the educational stakeholders have similar interests in seeking election commitments, specifically in the areas of staffing attraction and retention, building infrastructure and greater support for schools, by way of funding, resources and personnel.

In relation to WAPPA’s work in this space, many of our long held positions and advocacy efforts can be seen in recent announcements and commitments.

• Last year in February, WAPPA joined other Associations and the SSTUWA in writing to Premier Cook, seeking urgent funding to expedite air conditioning upgrades across the state and this commitment has recently been announced. Likewise, WAPPA welcomes recurrent funding commitments to improve infrastructure in our schools, but insists that school upgrade projects are selected based on areas of greatest need.

• For many years now, WAPPA has advocated for 100% SRS funding to be delivered to our schools, and this has also been announced as a state and federal commitment, although WAPPA would like to see quicker timelines in relation to the distribution of funds.

• WAPPA has always strongly advocated for funding specifically to primary and specifically through the school gateway.  As such, WAPPA welcomes the increased funding to Level 3 schools in 2025, which is set to double in 2026. This funding will allow schools greater flexibility in managing their operational costs, staffing and resources.

• WAPPA has long called for greater support for students with complex needs and the ability to work collaboratively with families and para-professionals, so we welcome the announcement of an increased number of ‘wrap around’ services at school locations, including regional sites. WAPPA welcomes announcements that commit funding to providing more Behaviour and Engagement Centres and for the provision of school based paraprofessionals such as Speech Pathologists.

• WAPPA is very keen to provide input and direction into any plans regarding full time Kindergarten, along with the implications for curriculum, funding, infrastructure, parent choice, continuity of learning and so on.  Given the two year lead in time, we would anticipate being part of this consultation, if the strategy is trialled.

• WAPPA has advocated strongly for the Principal Chaplaincy Program to continue in our regions and this funding was secured late last year, with other parties seeking to expand the program into the Pilbara and Kimberley.

• A recent announcement, that is a direct result of WAPPA Advocacy, is the expansion of the Parent Liaison Office. WAPPA has long called for additional support for school leaders and parents, in navigating the system that manages complaints at the ‘higher end’. Within our Supporting Students with Complex Needs position paper, WAPPA called for greater support, that would allow parents to have their concerns addressed appropriately, whilst leaders could be freed up to ensure they are able to concentrate on core business, for as much of their time, as possible.

• WAPPA notes that many parties have pledged to provide funding to create smaller classes, but we have long believed that this initiative is extremely costly and would do little to alleviate workload, if it wasn’t matched with funding to provide strategies, resources and staffing, that directly supports students with the greatest needs.