58 ACT schools facing budget cuts as staff numbers shrink
At least 58 ACT public schools will have budgets cut in 2027, with 37 facing reductions of more than 5 per cent.
ACT public schools are cutting support staff and increasing class sizes to meet tight budgets in 2027. Data obtained by the Canberra Times covers 76 of 94 public schools and shows 58 will have reduced funding compared with 2026.
The Education Directorate had said only 19 schools would face cuts above 5 per cent, but the actual figure is 37. Mount Rogers Primary is losing 27 of its 30 learning support assistants to save almost $1 million.
Majura Primary faces a $2.2 million cut and has moved support staff from preschool to the main campus. Latham Primary is cutting a quarter of its budget, the largest proportional reduction of all schools.
Staff say parents were not informed about the cuts and warn that removing learning support assistants poses health and safety risks, particularly for behaviour management of high-needs children.
- 58 of 76 schools surveyed
- Schools affected
- 37 schools cut over 5 per cent
- Large cuts
- 27 of 30 learning support assistants
- Mount Rogers Primary losses
- 2.2 million dollars
- Majura Primary cut
Why it mattersFewer classroom assistants means less individual support for struggling students and higher stress on remaining staff during a critical funding transition.
AustraliaACT parents with children in public schools will see reduced one-on-one support and increased class sizes as the territory shifts to a needs-based funding model.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago
