So, there is nothing new in education, so called.

Education needs to be taken out of the hands of politicians and those practising for a political career, unions. The private system is best, because it doesn't get paid if it doesn't produce. The taxpayer money it receives is essential to protect the awful public system from being overrun.

Non-government schools have had a significant presence in Australia for more than a century and currently educate around 35 per cent of Australian children. The other 65% of children would have a much better chance in life if taxpayers provided the money, now wasted, in the form of vouchers - allowing parents freedom of choice.

As for 'further education' universities are just brainwashing facilities, also sucking taxpayers dry. Young people are being bullied into attendance - or encouraged by the lowering of entry standards - instead of being encouraged to take up more rewarding and productive career paths

Struth this guy waffles on a lot! And obseses over equality when the real issue is high quality.

A high education should be the right of everyone. It really is that simple!

There is a disadvantage of having some people in private education: separation can create social divisions, and there's a risk it could ultimately result in people not caring about those unlike them. The risk is real, but in contemporary Australian culture it's unlikely to be a big risk, and the cost of eliminating it is prohibitive. Hence there's no point discussing banning private schools - it was only ever a lunatic fringe position.

"Everyone agrees that all children have an equal right to education."
"even sworn enemies believe that all children deserve an equal opportunity to receive a high-quality education. Who could disagree?"

I do!

And I would still disagree even if "education" was a good thing.
How more so at present - does every child have an equal right for punishment, incarceration and indoctrination?

We need to stop funding all schools per se. And instead start to fund students through their parent or guardian. Via a means tested grant, then allow the parents to direct their package to a school of choice public or private.

And that should level the playing field somewhat and have schools out there competing for lifeblood funding. And should over time allow results based best practise to come to the top.

The unions will scream blue murder as this will all but kill their influence and control. And see sub grade teachers marched/offered other career options.

Curriculum needs to be based almost entirely on STEM with those not able to cope offered technical training in a trade of choice (plumbers electricians etc) in sperate classrooms.
Alan B.

Dear Alan B.,

I totally agree with the first section of your post, which is:

«We need to stop funding all schools per se. And instead start to fund students through their parent or guardian. Via a means tested grant, then allow the parents to direct their package to a school of choice public or private.

And that should level the playing field somewhat and have schools out there competing for lifeblood funding. And should over time allow results based best practise to come to the top.»

I should also add that a parent/guardian should be able to select not just one school of choice but even several schools/teachers for their child to go between and get the best of each.

As for the last section, regarding curriculum, in line with the first section, curricula should be entirely up to the parent/guardian, who will choose for their children school(s) that provide the curriculum they believe in, not what the state wants to dictate.

But how is this possible?
It's not possible, stupid suggestion really !
Every child must be given opportunities equal to their merit, same goes for adults !
What's the point of saying every child should have the opportunity to go to UNI if they can't manage to achieve the entry requirements ? As I said, stupid suggestion typical of academic mentality !
Haven't these parasites learnt anything from the mistakes of the past 50 years ? National Service followed by University should be the sequence if the brains are there that is !
The Nation is screaming for Labourers etc.