[Greens-Media] Results don't support private school funding

[John Kaye]

Results don't support private school funding

Media release: 14 December 2014

The NSW government is pouring  $1 billion a year into private and Catholic
schools despite data showing that HSC results are better at public schools,
according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

('Public schools beat private rivals in HSC comparison', Sun Herald, 14
December, page 6, http://j.mp/1zNTtL1)

Dr Kaye said: "The data says the state would be better off spending the $1
billion a year that the government gives to private and Catholic schools on
addressing the educational impacts of socio-economic disadvantage.

"When measured by HSC achievement, public education out-competes the
wealthy private sector for students from the same socio-economic background.

"The NSW and federal governments are pushing money into private schools
that are already awash with cash while failing to provide the resources for
public education to support student from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"The Gonski process, if it had not been terminated by the Abbott government
before it could deliver serious change, would have at least begun to
address the achievement gap for students from families without a focus on
education.

"The political power of the private school lobby has successfully
distracted resources from public edcuation.

"Politicians from both Labor and the Coalition parties are terrified of
parents in Catholic and private schools.

"Governments continue to squander public resources that would be better
spent addressing the needs of public schools with high levels of
socio-economic disadvantage.

"Even the Gonski funding model came with the unnecessarily high price tag
of continued subsidies to wealthy private and Catholic schools.

"Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd's research highlights once again the
damage done to educational outcomes by subsidising the non-government
sector," 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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