The debate between Private and Public schools is nothing new, and has been the subject of much interest this week.
The group, Save Our Schools, says their figures show that Australian governments spend about $15,000 a year on students at independent schools but only $10,000 on those at government and Catholic schools.
The Australian Parents Council, a group that represents students who attend non government schools disagree with the figures. The groups says it’s actually private schools that seem to lose out.
The executive director Ian Dalton points to the “… latest available figures put out by the ministers for education throughout Australia, that demonstrates that around about $12,500 a year is spent on students in government schools across Australia and around about $10,500 on students in non-government schools and that includes all non-government schools including sort of low fee Catholic and Christian schools and high fee independent schools.”
So who do we believe?
I feel that the Public vs Private debate misses the point. Both Public and Private schools have a great importance and should be given every opportunity to flourish. I haven’t got a problem with Public schools asking for more funding, but pointing the finger at Private schools is wrong.
We in the Education industry need to support and foster both the Private and Public schools and not turn them against each other. Funding Public schools should be about the needs of the students not about drawing attention to Private school funding.
Topical Teaching 