who agrees’??

Anubis,

I work in the public education sector, so we often discuss funding to education in general. To me, funding to schools, TAFE and Universities is all a part of the same pie. The analogy seemed an apt one to me- public education goes from schools to University.

Actually, Monopoly, John Howard attended Sydney University.

kay henry

Trisha,

I don’t think anyone is tarring and feathering private schools. I think the discussion is about funding. Is teachers in public schools are overworked and there is a high staff:student ratio, then funding would make class sizes smaller, and allow more teachers.

There are people who attended private schools who support the public system. The author of the original speech at Scotch College is one of these. To be a product of a system doesn’t mean one has to defend that system.

kay henry

Monopoly, you misunderstand. I was saying that because I, for example, went to private schools, doesn’t mean I support the private system- I support public health, transport, education- even public housing!

And I thought your use of the word abolishment was interesting, that’s all.

kay henry

Anubis,

Yeah, I know we’re on the same page here :o) We just have different opinions on things- remember, I’ve always complimented you on your posts on property… it’s your posts on politics where we differ

kay henry

I never said it was incorrect, I said it shouldn’t have been any more “interesting” (surprising) than….

I was grammatically showing the difference due to your emphasis on my use of the word “abolish”; that’s all!!!

Cheers,

Jo

Oops- what did I say about tasmanians? I think they’re cute- hehe

kay henry

hehe, yes aussierogues, I remember that one… but i am thinking that surely my laughing at YOUR joke, can’t put me in trouble?

kay henry

Interesting conversation since I last checked!
I still have to make some replies to some of you:

Monopoly, you asked:

Define “different” [blink] ??? Smaller class sizes??? Teachers who were happy to settle for lower paid (public school) wages??? What??? This is a very blanket statement. As a parent, I want to know what “different choices” my kids have???

OK Monopoly, I’d better clarify what I mean by “different” )
By different types of schools I mean schools that differ from each other by their didactics or methodology. I’m just talking about primary schools here, and in some instances about High schools.

Montessori schools, to use an obvious comparison, are using different learning aides and materials and methods than say Steiner schools. ANd both differ from the standard education that most of us are familiar with. Or there can schools that suit different families’ religions. (Christian, Muslim, name it).

Anubis, it is true that there are catchment areas, but that doesn’t mean that this can’t be changed if necessary, and schools will have to become more flexible to fit in with demand.

For example, there is no reason that large existing schools can’t be divided into two or even three different sections. SO there can be a high demand for say, basic education, and less for Montessori schools, but if there’s enough demand in an area to form a Montessori class, that can then be arranged as required.
If there’s not enough demand in an area, the kids of that area could be allowed to go to the nearest school that offers their preference.

All these different ways of educating children can be funded by the govt.

I realise that this may all seem very confusing [confused2].
Australian systems were not set up like this from start, as were the systems in some European countries.
It’s always hard to radically change a system when there is already an establishment. I just wanted to say that there ARE different ways that work in practice in other parts of the world, without stating that one way is better than the other.
There are more ways than the one- it’s important to realise that.

Celivia

I send my 4 offsprings to Grammar School and proudly so. The choice for me was just not there, the public school alternative was a gigantic step backwards.

From many responses it seems that people think that the only difference between private schools and public schools is the amount of money available.

I disagree, more money to public schools will not make better schools, just fancier equipment and better paint and air conditioners.

The difference between private schools and public schools is the human factor, teachers and students.

If you want a decent public school in Sydney you must move to some of the Eastern Suburbs, and perhaps N. Sydney. Forget the rest.

In stead private schools, take away some well known bad exceptions, are in general safer, including the small under founded struggling, amateurishly managed C.C. Schools.

So the debate is not about public or private, but about who the parents and teachers are.

Some parents are interested in their children results and demand results from the teachers (who by the way are the only profession that has no mechanism to monitor performance, meaning RESULTS that is children that go to university) So the parents that are interested in results, will grill the teachers to do better, even in a public school.

Other parents are convinced that such is the responsibility of the government who should fund the schools better and take away funds from those repugnant evil people from Scott School and King School and the rest of those stinking people who oppress as and who keep us in poverty and …. Ok you get the picture…[biggrin]

May God prosper you always.[biggrin]
Marc