What kind of Society do we want? A Market Place with Dog eat Dog or a Democratic Community

Press Release 586

The current public/private debate appears to centre around economic and market ideological issues with facts flying hither and thither. Since the stark economic facts are now favouring the public education side of the debate- private schools are more and more expensive on the public purse for less and less returns- the private interests are forced back onto dogmatic market ideology.

Both ignore the simple question:

What kind of a society do we want our children to inherit?

Privatisation: Children, but No Profit Left Behind

Press Release 585

There has been a manufactured ‘crisis’ in public education driven by ideological hype of the ‘New Right” in the western English speaking countries. This has laid our centralised public systems, systems which have served our democratic societies well, open to takeover and exploitation, not only by Faith education systems but by private profiteers. All at public expense.

An example of this is the RISE AND RISE of the British firm, Pearson Publishing – and its interference and dominance in American education over the past few decades.

Northern Lights by Andrew Scott

Press Release 584

AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

 

PRESS RELEASE 584#

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS: ANDREW SCOTT

 

Private School Costs Spiralling out of Control: Why have them?

Press Release 583

The outrageous costs of schooling for a Bunyip aristocracy are a constant source of articles for education reporters. The latest report on the rising costs at the nation’s so-called ‘elite ’ schools appeared in the Weekend Australian 24-25 January. Figures indicating that the basic cost of educating a child in these schools equalled more than the cost of an average suburban home means that these schools are pricing secondary educational opportunities out of the insecure middle class market.

THREE EDUCATION MINISTERS WITH PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL BACKGROUNDS : Rewards for the Public School Vote in the Victorian Election?

Press Release 582

Although the private, religious school lobby attempted to influence the outcome of the recent Victorian election, it was the disaffected public school voters, particularly in the neglected developing suburbs and inner city that decided the outcome.
Education was a key election issue, with Labor making significant commitments to increase support and funding for public TAFEs, schools and preschools. However, it should be noted that Labor also attempted to ‘buy’the religious vote with a promise of $120 m for expanded facilities. James Merlino, like the Labor Party is Janus faced – facing both ways.

There never was a Genuine Needs Policy with Whitlam or anyone Else

Press Release 581

Education Commentators are romancing about the Whitlam vision for ‘Needs-based’ funding in Australia, and bemoan the fact that inequities are not diminishing but increasing. DOGS have news for them. There never was a ‘Needs’ policy and what has happened was predictable.

NEW YEAR 2015: FIFTY YEARS ON FOR THE D.O.G.S.

Press Release 580

The Australian Council for the Defence of Government Schools ( D.O.G.S.) commenced informally in 1964, and was established on 26 April 1967.
The organisation has two objectives: the promotion and protection of public education and the separation of religion from the state. It accordingly opposes public funding of private education. The formation and activities of the D.O.G.S. have been closely connected with the problems confronting public secondary education in the last fifty years.

The Catholic Church Gets into the Victorian State Elections - and Fails to make a difference

Press Release 577

Victorian voters have been bombarded with what appear to have been choices in the State election. But, at the last moment, Catholic school parents have been told to not vote for the Greens in inner Melbourne. Once again, the Catholic church tries to make itself important – crucial to the major parties. Smoke and mirrors, obfuscation, and sometimes downright corruption – has our democracy come to this?

How the Rich Schools get Richer

Press Release 576

Scotch College Melbourne this year lodged its 2013 financial return. It showed, among the school's revenue for the year of $70.9 million, a payment for $5.4 million as "reimbursement following a Supreme Court action". The payment helped Scotch record a net surplus of $11.5 million.