Increased funding has left private schools better able to attract teachers, public principals say

Funding gap since Gonski review is playing out in hot competition for teachers, federation says

• Read more of The gutting of Gonski series
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Increases in funding to the private education system have enabled it to attract teachers, despite a nationwide shortage, due to its ability to bump up salaries, according to the head of the New South Wales Secondary Principals’ Council.

Craig Petersen, who represents the principals of public schools across the state, said not only do public schools not have the budget to compete, but they were also restricted from lifting teachers’ salaries above the award wage.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup