Stopping the private school profit rip-off

The Greens embarrassed the NSW state government into legislating to end funding to private schools for profit.

Relevant media

Religious schooling and how it is funded is a key election issue
On-line opinion, posted 15 Sept 04

Public education is a key battleground in the upcoming election. Over the past 10 years of Federal funding to private schools has increased from $1.9 billion a year in 1996 to $4.9 billion a year now, with religious schools among the major beneficiaries. By 2007, this figure will be $6 billion.

“The Greens aren’t opposed to the existence of religious schools, nor are we claiming that funding should be cut off. We are calling for an end to the cycle of huge increases in funding, particularly as funding for public schools is static or declining in real terms.

“Public schools are being asked to do more with the same resources. They are asked to take on the most challenging educational task - providing an education to all children, no matter what their creed or ability - and are vilified for it.

“The standing of public schools is constantly undermined by insidious propaganda from the religious right.

“That propaganda is implicitly endorsed by politicians, when they really ought to be defending and improving the public system.

“This debate should not be misrepresented as being about secularism versus religion; it’s about ensuring that every child, no matter what their background, can go to a good school. Nor is this debate about “choice”: It’s about ensuring that those who can’t afford to choose can still get a good education.

“We live in a world of rising inequality. Our public school system has never been more important, and never more undervalued. It deserves more funding, and governments should be prepared to stand up to the heavy-handed tactics of the religious school lobby.”

Secrecy over schoolheads' pay under fire
Sydney Morning Herald, 12 Sep 06

Private schools in NSW receive more than $2 billion in federal and state subsidies every year.

"The public has a right to know how this money is being spent, including principals' salaries.

"Dredging out arguments about privacy and acrimony of past decades does not excuse private schools from their obligation to be publicly accountable.

"Without accurate data on how the state's funding is being spent, there is a real risk that some of the public's money is being squandered on creating massive salary differentials between principals in private and government schools"