Are there also private school ideologues?

This is one of the most dishonest posts in recent memory.

The issue is not about the average spending on schools. It's about the different needs of students in different socio-economic circumstances, and the great discrepancy of resources available to the most privileged and the most disadvantaged schools, whether government or non-government.

The present system works on the basis of 'to those who hath, more shall be given'. To think that public funding is given to the most wealthy schools in the country is a disgrace, as shown by the recent figures on the profit these schools are making, while still accepting money from the public purse.

Private schools work because most parents willing to invest in a private education are motivated to give their offspring the best chances at future success.

Public school students with like minded parents will most likely be that systems higher achievers because those people will nuture and encourage their kids.

Private schools work because there is usually better management of funding.

Private schools work because there are usually better controlled higher behavioural standards with persistent recalcitrants likely to be expelled.

Private schools work because these factors make learning and teaching easier and more effective.

Wish I had a dollar for every time I heard the words, "I'd love to send him/her/them to a private school but I can't afford it"

I'm tired of AEU bleatings about Private vs Public. They ought to concentrate on getting classrooms in order - 20 pupil maximum with separate classes for slow learners where the basic 3Rs rule (a kid who can actually READ can learn all about Aboriginal culture or to speak Japanese LATER if he/she chooses).
Get segregation of uncontrollable and persistant trouble makers(Social Services should be called in) and more effective disciplinary tools at teacher's disposal.

THEN ensure all TEACHERS are up to scratch. There're some who need to go back to school themselves.

These measures will likely cost.

However taxpayers funding the education of tomorrows workforce, citizens and leaders want value for money. As an employer for instance, I want job applicants who can actually READ & WRITE. Someone who follows directions would be nice too. Guess what? Privately educated people consistently outshine the public school sector in this regard. Surprise! NOT!

Sure - we probably need to invest more in Education but if that extra investment produces more of the same - well the Ministers for Education and Staff may as well take a few junkets, oops I mean Study Tours to faraway exotic places or paper bags down to the club and put it through the pokies. At least we'd see some return from the pokies ...

Well said and argued Godo. The kinds of arguments used by the author of this piece are ideologically driven. What a hide he has portraying those who support public education as 'ideologues'. What was it a great teacher once said about first removing the planks from one's own eyes, before attributing fault to others?
Cambo

Regardless of what beliefs you hold regarding the right or wrong re the Public vs. Private education debate, the simple fact regarding the AEU figures is true. The figures presented do not tell the truth. Such distortion does no credit to those presenting it and such behaviour certainly does not help the debate.

ALL education funding needs to be looked at and blaming one sector or the other for the problems is disingenuous.

Some genuine debate please.

If the AEU realised that the Labor party is just a swindle for the professionals, Lawyers, Solicitors and such, who have hijacked the Labor party and who had hijacked the Liberal Party, and who are destroying the economy, destroying the living conditions of the workers and those of small business, and are just sending Australia into that "3rd world" concept with the "all resources" exporting, bringing in as imports all the goods that we used to manufacture in Australia previously - Mostly before 1970, A system of destruction of Australia is well under way, and we will be known as just another "3rd world country", so if these parties are allowed to continue, that will be our status. We need a new party where integrity, intelligence and loyalty to our country is imperative.