Funding
The Prime Minister’s decision to throw Peter Garrett, the education minister, a lifeline in the form of Brendan O’Connor to manage the school funding review, chaired by David Gonski, proves how sensitive and potentially politically damaging the issue is.
Non-government schools enrolments have surged over the last 15 or so years with much of the increase occurring in low fee paying non-denominational schools in marginal seats that are crucial in any election campaign.
During the 2004 election campaign Mark Latham’s hit list of wealthy private schools proved an electoral liability and when education minister, the now Prime Minister Julia Gillard, assured non-government schools and their parents that schools would not suffer financially as a result of the review.
Last week on The Punch, conservative education writer Kevin Donnelly laid into a report proposing a new model of universal funding for public and private schools. Here, the report’s author, Jennifer Buckingham from the Centre for Independent Studies, sets the record straight.
School choice means different things to different people. In essence, it refers to the principle that parents should have the right and the means to choose their child’s school, and that this choice should be not be restricted to government schools.
To adhere to this principle, a school funding system must have several key features.
First, it must be child-centred. The amount of public funding provided for the education of each student must be based on their individual needs and circumstances. Second, the type of school attended, whether government or non-government, should not affect the level of funding. Third, students should be able to enrol at any school of their choice. And funding entitlements should follow students.
Continue reading "Whether public or private, our schools deserve a fair go" »
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Truthful says:
On the topic of the article, the author’s approach seems eminently sensible in recognising that there truly are many shades of grey in the area of school funding. Donnelly’s black and white approach sits at one end of the funding debate spectrum, while the ‘don’t give private schools any money’… Read more »
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Truthful says:
@Samuel - there are quite a few private special schools that cater for children with severe and multiple disabilities. Giant Steps in Gladesville is one in particular worth noting. There’s also the Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children network of schools, the ASPECT (Autism Spectrum) schools, and quite a… Read more »
Barely a week goes by without yet another controversy about the funding of schools, most recently over high-fee school profits and school assets.
High-fee schools in particular aren’t excited by the prospect of increased scrutiny of either on the My School website.
But such scrutiny might be delayed for some time and this might ease their discomfort: In the time it takes to get the information correct they’ll be able to flex their considerable lobbying muscles to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Continue reading "School funding review faces an uphill battle" »
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kate says:
Any private organization that accepts the taxpayer dollar should also obey the law and pay taxes. Unlikely religions which are exempt from land tax, have charitable tax status, and are free to sack or expel gay & lesbian students and teachers. Read more »
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shep says:
Every single child in Australia should have exactly the same amount of money allocated to their education. What parents choose to contribute over and above this amount is nobodies business but theirs. Its about a culture of sacrificing so that your children have better than you. Its not rocket science… Read more »
Education, especially school funding, is not only a barbecue stopper; it is also a vote changer.
Just ask Mark Latham about the impact of the hit list of so-called privileged schools he championed when he was leader of the ALP.
No wonder that Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, on taking over as leaders, rejected the politics of envy and argued in favour of school choice.
Continue reading "Hey Julia, you built the halls, now fix the schools" »
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Mike Brisbane says:
Dr Donnelly Your article is excellent, but it does omit one important inequity in the current funding system. You quote the Parliamentary Library paper, “Australian Government recurrent per student funding for non-government schools is based on a measure of need”. Wealthier non-government schools only receive 13.7% of the federal funding… Read more »
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sean says:
Do people really think all kids at private schools have parents that dont pay tax. Its there taxes too. More likely they pay more their share of taxes based on who attends private and public schools. Read more »
Andrew lived with mental illness and died in 2005.
Andrew had schizophrenia, but he did not die from this – he was stabbed to death by his flatmate, who was subject to severe paranoid schizophrenia. The Victorian coronial report found various processes had failed Andrew, putting his life in danger.
A community worker had placed Andrew in this situation, despite the risks.
Continue reading "The economics of mental health systems needs review" »
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TopypeAddedge says:
<a >Countertop convection ovens</a> on sum up a unconventional mien in your preparing food. Approximately good-bye fit your ingredients burnt off on the heart and un-browned in the top. Utter hello to juicier lean meats along with charge flaky pastry. Countertop convection ranges are precise novel as compared… Read more »
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Melissa Raven says:
How on earth can a senior lecturer in economics make such a naïve claim that intervention with the most severely ill is the best value for money? The fact that they need the most help does not mean that providing that help is a good investment economically, regardless of whether… Read more »
God is capricious, arbitrary and callous when it comes to inflicting tragic disabilities on his/her creatures.
The question is whether our community is willing to come alongside the victims and their carers and make things better, or whether we, like God, could care less.
In a wealthy community such as ours, there is no excuse for leaving those with life-long serious debilitation to do-it-yourself, hand-to-mouth, care plans.
Continue reading "Dignified disability scheme is paramount" »
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Helen says:
I would prefer that all medical and unemployment support systems be funded both by an insurance scheme component (such as a system of unemployment insurance) and a savings scheme (for example, a superannuation-style account to pay for medical costs as one gets older) rather than the welfare-socialist systems we have… Read more »
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E says:
A plan like this is a fantastic idea, and should be in place already. This country treats disabled Australians and their carers with contempt. Look at the things our gov. wastes money on- more billions just yesterday for some new fighter jets. Why don’t the government just do it- probably… Read more »
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