Commenting on the pre-budget announcement in today's Sunday Telegraph (p.2, "Schools falling apart at seams"), Dr Kaye said: "The Iemma government failed to increase public school maintenance funding in real terms to address the $86.5 million backlog.

"The supposed $11 million boost will only hold total spending at standstill after accounting for rising costs.

"Education Minister Della Bosca is treading water, while public school students and teachers work in substandard conditions.

"Leaking roofs, defective plumbing, dangerous floor coverings and peeling paint undermine the learning environment.

"If the Iemma government stopped subsiding just 82 of the state's wealthiest private schools, it could easily afford to clear the public school maintenance backlog in less than two years.

"It is absurd that high fee schools like Kings College, Sydney Grammar and Abbotsleigh continue to soak up more than $63 million a year in state funding while some public school classrooms are in tatters.

"If Labor governments were serious about ending so-called 'middle class welfare' they would start with subsidies to elite private schools.

"If they were serious about protecting public education, they would clear the maintenance backlog," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455