[Greens-Media] Private school reporting exposes major problem with government funding

[John Kaye]

Private school reporting exposes major problem with government funding

Greens Media Release: 17 August 2005

Greens NSW Education spokesperson Dr John Kaye said that NSW elite private 
schools are squandering public money.

Dr Kaye said: "The state government has finally required all private 
schools to reveal how much they spend on activities other than teacher 
salaries.

"The figures are shocking.  Some of Sydney's wealthiest private schools are 
spending as little as 38% of their total budget on salaries while receiving 
massive grants from both federal and state governments. Much of the rest of 
the money is being poured into extravagant facilities.

"The spectacular growth in both federal and state funding has kick started 
a bidding war between the elite private schools, where each tries to 
present the most luxurious facilities to lure students into their institution.

"The tragedy is that the public purse is paying for much of this. While 
public schools are desperately short of funds to maintain their buildings, 
government money is being wasted on unnecessary facilities.

"The figures prove that government funding of the wealthiest private 
schools is inefficient and unfair," Dr Kaye said.


For more information:       John Kaye      0407 195 455