NT COGSO President Ruth Mirams says school power bills are soaring after a 3 per cent increase to electricity prices with schools removed from the CSO subsidy list and moved to “cost reflective” pricing.

Ms Mirams told Katie Woolf power prices at Tennant Creek Primary School have gone from $5,000 in June to $17,000 in July, with million dollar increases per year for a dozen schools.

She says it means school budgets will have to cover the price hike, flagging cuts to education programs and fears Federal funding to improve student outcomes could have to be used to keep the lights on.

NT COGSO is calling for the CSO subsidy to be reinstated and for the NT Government to fully cover the electricity increases until that happens, ensuring Federal funds can be used as intended.

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