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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Investing in Schools

We are getting to be in the minority in South Australia, sending our kids to public schools (that's the government funded ones here in Australia). We have a great local school with about 200 kids, great grounds and a great community feeling. Hannah still has most of her friends from kindy in her class. I am on the Governing Council, and one of the challenges for public schools is getting the investment money to upgrade computer systems. Our school was lucky recently and won a large grant from the Commonwealth Government to keep the schools computer system that the kids have access to, in the 20th Century. They really need an investment of about three times that to give all the kids access to adequate elearning opportunities. Although the money is welcome, it is just a band aid to keep the current system running.

Classroom budgets are also very miserly. We were asked to contribute boxes of tissues and glue sticks by the class teacher tonight. I think it is a bit sad that public schools are under resourced like that. It is testament to teachers that they soldier on in challenging conditions.

5 comments:

James Higham said...

So, bit different to the UK eh, Colin?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

How nice to read something good about teachers! Glad they have got the vocab right over there - I hate this British term of "public schools " when they are anything but! - And you try explaining it to an Italian!
Btw, I've done a review of your blog on mine.

Colin Campbell said...

Can't really judge on British schools James. I haven't lived there for over twenty years and last went to Primary School in our two teacher school at New Gilston in 1971. You are obviously much more qualified to judge.

Bill Haydon said...

Cheers, Colin, that's much appreciated - oh sorry, you were talking about _Australian_ schools?
Oh, well that's...er...oh.

backin15 said...

Federal government policy has been to significantly increase funding to private schools to encourage more and more parents to move out of the public sector. In NSW, over 50 per cent of high school students are now in private schools. Since Howard was elected in fact, funding for private schools has increased by about 80% compared with funding for VET, for instance, which has gone backwards.