Government funding for private schools doubles, raising equity concerns
In the past decade, the Australian government’s financial support for private schools has surged, reaching double its previous levels, prompting concerns about the country's education equity. Among 38 countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia now ranks as one of the least equitable schooling systems. This disparity in funding distribution has not materialised overnight but is the culmination of a steady shift in the way schools are financed by federal and state authorities over the last 25 years.
The roots of this substantial increase in funding can be traced back to the policies initiated during the Howard Government in 1996. The primary motive behind these measures was to grant parents the “freedom to choose” the type of schooling they wanted for their children. Accordingly, more financial resources were allocated to private schools with the intention of making them more affordable. However, over time, this funding boost has failed to translate into accessible education, as private school fees continue to escalate, rendering them unaffordable for many families – defeating the purpose of Howard’s policy and resulting in a wholesale transfer of federal funds away from public schools and towards private.
Critics argue that while parents should have the right to select the education they desire for their children, it should not be predominantly supported through public funding. Calls for reform in the distribution of public funds to the schooling system have grown louder. The current arrangement poses a significant challenge for policymakers as they grapple with the complexity of balancing the education preferences of parents with the need for a more equitable system.
One of the main challenges is the belief among aspirational parents that increased government funding for private schools will lead to improved access for their children. However, experts argue that this notion is a false promise, and the heart of the issue lies in whether private schools truly need public funding. Advocates for reform suggest that redirecting the substantial public investment from private schools to the public education system could result in meaningful improvements across the board.
The debate surrounding private school funding has persisted since the 1950s when the Menzies Government began providing local Catholic schools with funding to secure political support from the Democratic Labor Party. However, it was during John Howard’s tenure that the concept of “choice” was prominently used to justify the government’s increased investment in private sectors. Critics contend that the notion of choice served as a smokescreen for a deeper ideological commitment to neoliberal practices. This approach saw more public funds being channeled into private health care, aged care, early childhood education, and private schools, all under the banner of providing more choice to citizens.
The consequences of this approach have been far-reaching. The steady influx of public funds into private schools has resulted in around 40 per cent of them being overfunded by an estimated $3 billion. Despite this, private schools show no intention of relinquishing these extra funds. Instead, they have invested in lavish facilities and amenities, such as multiple swimming pools, expansive sports fields, advanced science and technology laboratories, and fleets of new school buses, while public schools struggle to meet their basic needs.
Presently, the federal government allocates a substantial $27 billion annually to education, with $10 billion going to public schools and $17 billion to private schools. Meanwhile, state and territory governments also contribute significantly, providing approximately $32 billion in total for education. However, the significant discrepancy in federal funding between public and private schools continues to raise concerns about the growing inequality in the education system.
As policymakers grapple with the complex challenge of addressing the funding disparity between public and private schools, the issue remains contentious. The underlying question persists: can Australia bridge the gap and create a more equitable education system while upholding the right of parents to choose the education they believe best suits their children's needs?
Gonski reforms: a missed opportunity for equitable education
One key aspect that further contributed to the funding disparity between public and private schools can be traced back to the Gonski reforms, introduced in 2012 under a Labor government. The Gonski report was widely regarded in the education sector as a fair and reasonable approach to addressing funding issues. However, the reforms didn’t receive the full support they deserved, and the government at the time failed to follow through with the intended changes.
The Gonski reforms aimed to create a more equitable funding model, removing political interference from the funding process. However, some critics argue that the implementation of these reforms has paradoxically exacerbated the funding discrepancy between public and private schools. The conservative Liberal–National governments that followed after September 2013, seemed to overlook the Gonski reforms, choosing instead to direct funding towards favoured institutions and political acquaintances without adequate consideration.
Furthermore, the Howard Government's introduction of funding based on socio-economic status for private schools ended up being perceived as another administrative manoeuvre to boost private school funding. While the idea was to address disparities based on students’ socio-economic backgrounds, it had the unintended consequence of further favouring private schools at the expense of public schools.
One factor that has allowed conservative governments to push their education agendas more effortlessly is the lack of widespread parental involvement in the education system. The narrative around choice has tapped into the fears and concerns of parents, who understandably want the best education for their children. However, these policies have been primarily targeted at parents, not the students themselves, who ultimately bear the consequences of such decisions.
Addressing the funding imbalance is crucial, especially in regions where wealthier suburbs often have better-funded schools. While it is essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by schools in economically disadvantaged areas, it is equally vital to recognise that schools in wealthier regions should receive appropriate funding reflective of their resources and requirements.
The notion of equity in education funding doesn’t mean that one school is inherently more deserving than another. Rather, it seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to access quality education. This requires a re-evaluation of the funding allocation process, possibly reducing excessive funding to some private schools while redirecting resources to areas where they are most needed.
While there may be valid arguments for providing certain types of assistance to private schools, such as teacher training, the ultimate goal should be to create a system where every student, regardless of their location or circumstances, has access to the same opportunities and support.
The Gonski reforms represented a step towards a fairer funding model that aimed to bridge the gap between public and private schools. However, their full potential remains unrealised, leaving room for improvement and reform to ensure that the education system truly prioritises the needs and opportunities of every child across Australia. Only through concerted efforts to prioritise equitable education funding can the nation strive towards a more balanced and inclusive schooling system, empowering all students to reach their full potential.