Andrew Gohl - Speech to Governors Leadership Foundation

The following is the text of a speech by Andrew Gohl, President of the SA Branch of the Australian Education Union, at the Governors Leadership Foundation on Tuesday September 4, 2007.

It is indeed a pleasure to be talking to the future leaders of South Australia. I could talk about the allegation of Maoists in control of the History/English/Geography curriculum or outcomes based learning, phonics, literacy, numeracy or I could talk to you about A-E grades for 6 year olds, the skills shortage; even performance pay for teachers would be an interesting topic.

However, I want to talk to you about public education and public education funding and choice. The Australian Education Union is an unashamed supporter of public education. Oftentimes the AEU is the lone voice of support and advocacy for Public Education. I have no need to defend the excellence in public schools and I don’t need to cite the untold successes of students from public schools.

However, the AEU wants Governments, State and federal, to fund public education in vastly greater proportions than they do currently. The AEU believes that access to quality public education system is a right of all students regardless of their socioeconomic status, where they live, their religion or country of origin.

The government mantra for education has been ‘choice’. That parents should be able to choose what school their child attends. It’s hard to argue with this. Choice is the right of an individual in a democratic society. Choice is exercising the power of a consumer in a market driven society. Choice is good.

Actually, choice for many in our society is a myth. Choice is the luxury of those who can afford it. The more one earns the greater choice one has. I hasten to add that greater choice does not necessarily translate to the best decisions. Just ask Paris.

So, choice in education. The Federal Government and State Government support it. Opposition at State and federal levels support it. Who wouldn’t? The question most significant is how does the federal and state governments' funding of public schools compared to private schools impact upon choice and fundamentally who has a choice, who has no choice and what does it mean for children who have no choice. Social justice, equity and equal opportunity are terms out of fashion it sometimes seems, but are central to the deliberations of the AEU and others fair minded in our community. For that which creates injustice and social inequity also breeds resentment, hostility, and anger or disengagement and apathy and self abuse.

A 2003 analysis of Federal Budget paper 1 indicates that Public schools received 12% ($2262m) of Federal Government funding, while private schools received 40% ($4373m). State and Territory Governments contributed 88% ($16588m) to public schools, while private schools received 17% ($1859m). Some additional 43% of private school funding was from private sources.

In percentage terms public schools receive 63% and private schools 37% of all school funding. Public schools look to be doing pretty well.

But factor in the national student enrolment data sourced from the ABS. In February 2004 the number of students attending government schools is 53% of the total number of students in the nation and so the amount per student in the public sector is $8361 compared to $10275 per student in the private sector.

The last time federally public and private schools received an equal share of funding was 1982. To the period 1993 funding to the public sector remained pretty stable at around 45% of total federal government funding. In the period 1996 – 2007 the public education share of federal government funding has declined from 43% to 34%.

The Federal Government asserts that this is because there are more students now enrolled in private schools, but in 1996 for every $1 spent on public school students the federal government spent $4.40 on private school students. By 2005 that amount increased to $5.63 for every $1 spent on public school students.

And these figures will improve for private schools. The very formula by which the federal government funds private schools is based upon the average cost of educating a student in the public sector. Public schools can be found right across rural and isolated Australia. The costs of country education are higher. Public education has by the far the greatest number of students with special needs. Education costs for special needs students are greater. All this goes to the average cost per student in the public sector which is allocated on a per student basis to private schools.

Almost all social justice payments to public schools raise the per capita cost and flow on to private schools.

Private schools, generally speaking aren’t as frequent in the country, and can be selective in the students accepted into the school. The net result is lower costs for a more homogeneous group of privately educated students. Those funds left over contribute to more facilities.

And if you doubt these figures take a drive past your local public and compare it with your local private. New buildings and facilities equals new funding. That’s a simple equation.

Well, so what? Back to the rhetoric of choice. While the costs of private education, especially the huge growth in low fee religious schools have decreased making private education more accessible to middle Austrlia it is clear that for many, many Australians the only choice is Public Education. This includes parents who indeed have a choice and choose public.

There is an obligation on state and federal governments to ensure that public education for those with no choice is not some residualised system but a well funded, vibrant challenging public education system that outwardly and inwardly demonstrates excellence and quality teaching with rejuvenated building, facilities and resources - the external features upon which many parents make their choice.

A recent announcement by the Federal treasurer indicated that Australia managed a budget surplus of some $17b! That is $17b budget surplus per annum!

A 2003 report commissioned by MCEETYA (Ministers Council for Education Employment Training and Youth Affairs) indicated that in order for the 95% of public schools in the nation to reach the national benchmark described in the Adelaide Declaration of Schooling was $2.6b per annum. Clearly the funds are available, but the political will is lacking.

You know, Keating and Costello duel over which treasurer put Australia in a stronger financial position. I assert that in fact it has been the provision of a universally free, secular and compulsory public education since federation which has enabled the majority of Australians to meet their educational aspirations which in turn has contributed to Australia’s social and economic prosperity. Public education has been a foundation stone of a civil Australian society and the pathway for millions to participate fruitfully in building a nation. Public education has provided opportunities for all students regardless of religion or race or creed to learn together be successful and value each other’ s potential and respect each other’s limitations.

A residualised public education system amidst well funded private schools cloistered by religion or ideology I believe presents a threat to the long term social stability of Australian society. Good leaders recognise threats and neutralize them. I hope that in my brief time today I have been able to convey to you the threat to public education and its important role in Australian society and I urge you, leaders all, to support public education and lend your voice from time to time for a fairer funding deal from state and in particular federal governments.