Prime Minister's cash bonus for top teachers

It is the latest initiative by the Julia Gillard government in its investment to boost education standard.

Julia Gillard yesterday outlined a scheme paying the top 10 per cent of teachers, 25000 staff a one-off bonus based on their performance, including their students' results and involvement in school.

Based on the current salary levels, the bonus can be as high as $8100 for senior teachers and along $5400 for beginning teachers.

Not to mention, reward will be also be offered to schools that demonstrate the greatest improvement in their students' academic and attendance - $100 000 for high schools and $ 75000 for primary schools.

Ms Gillard said improving numeracy and literacy outcomes was essential to lifting national productivity and economic growth.

Under the same reform policy released yesterday, a Gillard government will also introduce a national year 12 credential, the Australian Baccalaureate, as an alternative to state-based final-year certificates and International Baccalaureate, which is more and more adopted around the nation.

Plus, The Labor Party will also develop a national online assessment and learning bank for parents, students and teachers. "Now is the time for the next major round of reforms, and education is the linchpin for the reforms we need for the future," continue Ms Gillard.

In the first term on the Labor government, Ms Gillard introduced national literacy and numeracy test, which allows the direct comparison of schools nationally for the first time.