As spending drops, parents scramble
Private schools get more, public less, so kids are not getting a fair chance, says Terry Polglase
IN education, the idea of “for the public good” no longer exists. It has been supplanted by self-interest. Governments are in the business of getting re-elected above anything else and political parties formulate policies that mirror the mood and views of those who elect them. We are told Tasmanians are living in a golden age, but the reality is that many are not, and the Government shows no interest in ensuring that children with needs are provided with the same educational opportunities as those from the leafy suburbs.
Our independent and Catholic schools are thriving even with fees between $10,000 to $19,300 and $3000 to $5000 respectively. If I were to mention the swimming pool, performing arts centre and tennis courts seen outside their gates, most would be able to join the dots and name The Friends’ School, St Michael’s Collegiate School (twice) and The Hutchins School. The high fees support selective enrolments and the rejection or omission of others. Being the egalitarian society we profess to be, the same opportunities and facilities should be available to those in our public schools, but unfortunately the gap is widening. The latest Smith Family’s advertisements on TV appealing for donations are testament to this.
What we find at the end of Grade 6 is a scramble by parents to have their child enrolled in a high school of repute.
We need look no further than this year’s enrolment of about 1050 at Taroona High compared to 150 at Cosgrove High, with the latter number predicted to fall even further in 2020, yet the schools are the same distance from the city centre. As a consequence of parental choice, buses ply the highways daily and parents drive additional distances in term time, affecting traffic flow.
The most recent Productivity Commission report has revealed what teachers in our public high schools have felt daily for the last five years; that the Liberal Government has steadily reduced funding for public school students during its time in office, from $14,732 in 201415 to $14,489 in 2016-17. With all the government propaganda, high schools are still operating with on average two fewer teachers than they had in 2014 and our colleges by four. It is indefensible that while this situation continues the Liberal Government has steadily increased funding for non-government school students from $2474 in 2014-15 per child to $2764 in 2016-17. The government funding of schools in Australia is a joint venture by state and federal governments. States are responsible for 80 per cent of public school funding and 20 per cent of private school funding, while the proportions are reversed for the Commonwealth. The states