The Gonski dream: how can governments restore funding – and trust – to public education?

The federal government says it is working on a review of the education system and has committed to get every public and private school to 100% of its Schooling Resource Standard – the fair funding level proposed under the Gonski reforms. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian

When Greater Shepparton secondary college was first announced, it was described by Victoria’s then education minister as “the most important education project” in the region’s history.

The goal was to restore trust in the public system and improve student outcomes by merging the regional city’s four underfunded public high schools into one $140m “super school”, complete with rooftop gardens, a gymnasium and a Stem hub.