The debate of public versus independent education is likely to continue for decades to come.
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And the challenges facing the federal government in finding money to meet the unfunded Gonski commitments of the Gillard government will only add to that debate.
A significant concern going forward is the temptation of the opposition and Greens to run a campaign around education based on these very issues.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten is already positioning the ALP to paint Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as a high-flying millionaire with no care for middle Australia.
The problem with this approach is that our children – and their education – may well get caught in the middle of the debate.
While the ghost of Gonski continues to circle, the debate about government funds going to independent schools will rage.
But as one parent outlined in today’s Weekend Advertiser, surely having the choice of a school to meet the individual needs of your child should remain the priority.
While it can be a hard argument to prosecute, families who choose to use the independent system are, in fact, subsidising those attending public schools.
Not only are their taxes directed into the public system, but they contribute over and above that amount to send their children to a school of their choosing.
This effectively means that more taxpayer funds are available for those going to public schools.
Like those who use private hospitals, if everyone relied on the public education system it would crumble.
The sheer weight of numbers would mean that governments would be spending increasing amounts on education – and as in health – amounts that are not sustainable in the long term.
Statistics can and will be used to prosecute various arguments when it comes to the effectiveness of education and what the solutions to the apparent declining standards are.
One thing we can say with certainty is that the increasing amount of money being spent at all levels of government is having little impact on improving outcomes. At some stage, we need to concede that money – in itself – is not the solution.
Generations to come deserve better than having education being used as a political football, but the poisonous politics of our time mean that it almost certainly will be.