[Greens-Media] Kings, Grammar to get yet more as O'Farrell's cuts hit public schools

[John Kaye]

Kings, Grammar to get yet more as O'Farrell's cuts hit public schools

Media release: 20 August 2012

The O'Farrell government's obsession with cutting public spending should be
focused on the elite non-government schools that are about to receive an
increase in their Commonwealth funding, according to Greens NSW MP John
Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Prime Minister Julia Gillard has caved in to pressure from
the well-organised private education lobby and promised yet more cash for
all non-government schools, no matter how wealthy they are.

"The specularly affluent Sydney Grammar will get even more public funding,
despite being able to spend $39,348 on each of its students.

"The inner city elite institution currently receives more than $2,000 per
student from the Gillard government and $1,000 from the state.

"That is more than four times the amount spent on many public school
students.

"Increasing public subsidies to schools like Sydney Grammar will amplify
educational inequality and squander scarce taxpayers' dollars that could be
effectively spent in the state's public schools.

"The history of the last twelve years is that escalating public funding of
wealthy private schools makes then less affordable. Fees have grown much
faster than inflation.

"The O'Farrell government is obsessed with cutting public spending.
Programs that address drug and alcohol abuse, disadvantaged schools and
sustainability have been dumped.

"The $1.2 million the state gives to Sydney Grammar each year would be a
better target than cutting drug and alcohol programs in public education.

"As the Prime Minister seems intent on rewriting the rules to make elite
private schools even wealthier, the NSW government should stop pouring more
$70 million a year into creating yet more educational inequality.

"The money should go back into public schools where it would be effectively
invested in the state's future," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:  John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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