AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

PRESS RELEASE 389

FINAL TERMS OF REFERENCE OF REVIEW OF

FUNDING FOR SCHOOLING: IGNORES THE

CONCEPT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

14 July 2010

On 15 April 2010, the former Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, announced that a review of school funding arrangements will commence in 2010 and conclude in 2011.

This is the first time since 1973 that funding arrangements for all schools have been reviewed, but the situation for public education is vastly different in 2010 than it was in 1973.

Differences between 1973 and 2010:

1.    In 1973 78% of children were enrolled in public schools. Four decades and billions of dollars of taxpayers money to sectarian schools this is now less than 65%

2.    In 1973 the Carmel Committee, in theory and rhetoric at least, gave priority to public education. In 2010 no mention is made of public education whatever. In Julia Gillard’s and Simon Crean’s world the concept no longer exists. Their jargon avoids the issue of public v private by talk of ‘educational outcomes’ and ‘funding systems’ which are  ‘transparent, fair, financially sustainable and effective’  DOGS believe that if these  words were to mean anything, then taxpayer funding of private sectarian educational institutions would be abandoned without delay.

3.    In 1973 lip service was given to ‘equality of educational opportunity’ and this ideal was the rationale for the provision of  taxpayer funding to cash strapped sectarian schools. In 2010 no mention is made of this ideal. Nor is there any mention made of the discredited ‘Needs’ policy. The only admission that gross inequalities still exist and have indeed been exacerbated by taxpayer funding of sectarian schools is contained in Terms of Reference 1. (b) namely: funding allocation mechanisms that address current barriers to educational achievement such as English language proficiency, indigeneity, location, disability and special needs, and other disadvantaged groups such as low socio-economic areas and other concentrations of disadvantage. DOGS believe that if these words were to mean anything then taxpayer funding of private sectarian institutions would cease immediately.

4.    In 1973 the Karmel Committee were expected to legitimate the granting of taxpayer funding to cash strapped sectarian schools, but the fragmenting of the Australian schooling and society along sectarian lines was not admitted to be a major objective. In 2010 however, this has become a primary objective . For example Terms of Reference 4 (f) however, negatives any hope for a fair deal for public school funding in Australia. It  states:  the role of government funding in providing parents with choice among diverse schools.

Although DOGS consider the Review loaded against public education, if only because of the background and commitment of three out of the four members of the panel to the private sectarian sector, they will be making a submission.

Angelo Gavrielatos, the President of the Australian Education Union is encouraging public school supporters to make a submission as follows:

For the first time since the 1970s we have a chance to ask some fundamental questions: how do we ensure that all children have the opportunity to fulfil

their potential and, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard neatly put it, ensure that “demography is not destiny”?“

If we are serious about answering these questions we need to look at ways to lift overall student performance while simultaneously addressing

underachievement. This can only be done with an education system that has at its heart strong, well resourced public schools. After all, it is only public schools which guarantee every child a place.

 

We must therefore reaffirm our commitment to the fundamental right of all families and all children in this nation to have access to a public school of the

highest quality in their local community. That means sufficient qualified teachers and staff to meet their needs and aspirations, access to a curriculum of breadth and quality and a safe, modern, 21st century learning environment.

Any interested person, can make a submission to the Secretariat at any time. The Panel will also advise specific opportunities to contribute your views as the review progresses. Feedback to the review Secretariat can be made at: schoolsfundingreview@deewr.gov.au. DOGS will be making a submission.

 

DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND STOP STATE AID TO PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

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