Educated debate over public funding for elite
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday March 7, 2011
The recent data from the My School website confirms that private schools are embarking on capital works by buying properties and improving their campuses ("Elite school building boom", March 5). In doing so they are able to attract more students and so earn a larger slice of public funding. And so the cycle continues, widening the gap between the top and bottom schools. Of course they are entitled to do this and there should be no limit to their nor anyone's achievements. However, if they are getting a proportion of their income from the public purse, then the public should get proportionate ownership of purchased assets.By the way, I'm proud of the wealthy private school that I attended because they tried to teach us social justice.Bill Swan LeuraThe headmaster at The King's School, Tim Hawkes, is absolutely correct when he justifies why governments should fund schools such as his on the basis that "our students do more". Independent schools are creating the leaders of tomorrow and are required to provide a far higher level of cultural, sporting and extra-curricular support. Funding these extra activities with taxpayers' money is undeniably a sensible investment in Australia's future. Re-allocating these monies towards children in comprehensive government schools who are content to do less both in school and in life, would be a waste of money and a win for the forces trying to destroy Australia's prospects and culture.Greg Boston ManlyIn the interests of truth in terminology, can we please stop using the delusional misnomer "independent schools". A better label would be "government-subsidised schools". As far as I am aware there is no school sufficiently principled to decline government funding in order to be truly independent.Dennis Hale BeecroftThe debate about funding of government and non-government schools misses a significant point. Non-government schools have access to funds that are not available to government schools and much of it escapes public awareness. Here are some examples.All non-government schools have deductible gift recipient status so that any person or organisation wanting to donate to these schools (and there is a significant pool of money in the community) can have it deducted from their tax, but government schools are prevented by legislation from having this tax status.The headmaster of Cranbrook School, Jeremy Madin, makes much of parent fund-raising and why shouldn't parents? It's tax deductible for them.Non-government schools are entitled to a variety of government-funded interest subsidy schemes, low-interest loan schemes and direct-interest payments (depending on the government involved) for borrowings for capital works and extensions. Government schools cannot borrow money, and don't have the resources to repay loans.The federal government makes sinking fund payments to some non-government schools to cover the costs of future capital expenses including painting, refurbishment and replacing common property such as carpets and roofing. Government schools receive no such payments and are criticised if they try to have any funds set aside for emergencies. Any savings a government school makes, such as in utilities, is deducted from future global funding grants by the state government.Mark Baker WinmaleeOn March 5 I noticed an advertisement for "Manager Know Enterprises," to develop the commercial aspects of Knox Grammar. Hardly my tax dollars being used to educate in the true sense.Anne Ramsay WollongongI don't believe NSW police are fulfilling my personal expectations with regard to protecting my family and property. Does the government subsidise my decision to hire private security? No it doesn't.I don't believe NSW Health fulfils my personal needs with regard to health care. Does the government subsidise my private health fund fees? No it doesn't - in fact it penalises me via tax if I don't take out private insurance.So why is primary and secondary education treated any differently to all the other government-funded public services?Owen Sharp DarlinghurstJames Chik, I wouldn't worry about the government having to build new schools if private schools close (Letters, March 4). There should be plenty of cheap second-hand schools with great facilities.Rod Denson Point ClareDoes the My School site say how happy and balanced the students are?Barry Lamb Cairns (Qld)
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