Torpedo wrote on Apr 24
th, 2013 at 8:45pm:
They can not afford: $1000 give aways, Insulation, Set top boxes, Solar panels... Asylums!!! A little help to those who choose to send their kids to private schooling (for whatever reason that may be, however, mostly because public schools are horrible socially and academically) is nothing in comparison to all the above. After all, public schools will only benefit from this, as it will only put more pressure on this already dumb enough public education.
Hey, not all public schools are that bad. You just have to find a good one. As for a bad social environment, that is itself a form of education. I experienced bullying myself and I got through it and learnt something from it. You grow through adversity.
Torpedo wrote on Apr 24
th, 2013 at 9:15pm:
are you saying that those who choose to go to different school, (be it because they live in a demographically undesired area, or low academic standards) should not really have that choice? So if they can't afford to move to StIves - is just a tough luck?
I think this is why the Gonski reforms will be so important. If they fix up the public schools, you might not need to send your kids to a private school.
Torpedo wrote on Apr 24
th, 2013 at 9:15pm:
Do you really think that all the people who send their kids to private schools are rich? Do you really think that all people who pay for private schooling are just showing off? Most people that I know struggle to pay bills, many private (particularly religious) schools sometimes even discount, or in some circumstances waive the fees completely until family recovers financially, when reasonable enough explanation provided.
They're struggling because they chose to put their kids through a private education. It's not a matter of being rich. I understand that not everyone who does it is rich. If you want to go through the tough financial road of paying for an expensive education, it's not something I would encourage because I think there's an alternative. You see, you have a choice. You don't have to choose that path. It's like when you go to a car dealership and the salesperson pressures you to buy. I didn't get a private education and yet I still went to study at university.
I don't think the government should be putting emphasis on something that isn't the only option. It sends the wrong message. A lot of people have a strong desire to put their kids through a private education and they won't accept anything less. These people think a private education is a basic necessity and I do not agree with them. Private education is not the bare minimum. Public education is. I do not want to be reinforcing a way of thinking that I think is wrong. The idea therefore is to make it harder for people to get a private education so that people will think about that choice carefully.