The Islamic School of Canberra board has lashed out at an "Islamophobic" federal government and warned it will close within weeks without transitional funding to tide it through an ongoing departmental review.
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The Weston school's funding was cut off on June 30 over concerns about its independence, governance and finances, primarily linked to its ties with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.
The school board last month submitted the documentation to support its last-ditch attempt to have its $1 million restored.
But a board spokesperson said that without financial support while the federal government reviews the submission the school will likely close within weeks.
"Given [our] school is under review it's only fair and reasonable to request that money continue until you complete your review and a decision is made, and failing that, at the very least, continue funding until the end of the school year," the spokesperson said.
The board spokesperson said the school was heartened by the recent Federal Court decision to grant Sydney's Malek Fahd Islamic School its monthly government payments during its fight for the long-term reinstatement of federal funding.
A federal Education Department spokeswoman said the Canberra school's request was being considered.
The Islamic School of Canberra, which has more than 200 students from kindergarten to grade 7, first lost its funding last year.
The department found "serious non-compliance" issues relating to the school's financial management and governance and later accused the board of failing to provide complete and accurate information during its several bids to have the money restored.
It is understood the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils is in talks with three groups interested in taking on the Islamic School of Canberra's lease and debts in an attempt to improve its chances with the government.
The Islamic College of South Australia, which also lost its federal funds, was last month bought by the Australian Islamic College of Perth.
The board spokesperson said funding was the priority. The Islamic School of Canberra has raised its fees from $443 per term to $600 to cover staff pay, utilities and resourcing.
As well, the school will "modify" its computer and cleaning programs and has called on volunteer support from the community for both. Two teachers have recently quit.
"This school needs to be protected and its future secured," principal David Johns wrote to parents.
"The increase in fees, the maintaining (and hopefully) increasing in enrolments along with the prompt payment of fees will assist in our school's survival and I ask you all to consider this."
The federal Education Department spokeswoman said the department was undertaking a "thorough review" of the Canberra school's situation and could not give a timeline as to when it would be finished.
"The department understands the impact of the revocation decision on the school community and will come to a decision in due course to give families and the school certainty," she said.
The school board spokesperson said the school had become the Education Department's "whipping boy", arguing the continual reviews were Islamophobic, and suggested taxpayers question the time and money spent investigating non-compliant independent schools.
"That department really needs to account for this expenditure of all of this taxpayers' money that's being thrown for political gain, might I add," the spokesperson said.
"It's an example of an Islamophobic situation here."
The Education Department spokeswoman said: "To receive Commonwealth funding, all school authorities across Australia are required to have appropriate governance and financial management arrangements in place, and to ensure that funding is used for the benefit of the school in providing school education.
"These requirements apply to all schools, regardless of their religious affiliation or educational philosophy."
AFIC did not respond to request for comment.
