acoss 2011 national conference kathy landvogt good shepherd youth & family service
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Dimensions of poverty: EducationACOSS 2011 National Conference
Kathy LandvogtGood Shepherd Youth & Family
Service
‘Education was free, because it served the public benefit’• Education should be free, secular and compulsory: Education Act Victoria 1872
Is education still a ticket to participation for all?OECD report card for Australian education
= high quality but average equityWhat went wrong?
Voluntary = -$100
Standard educational
program
Not itemised
1st policy failure: user-pays
Some parent payments have always been accepted e.g. cookery ingredients
(Warrnambool High School 1915)
But parents are being asked to pay more and more for textbooks, stationery, uniforms…
• "The technology is creating a sense of hope. This equipment gives an opportunity for students to be connected to the world and to discover
the world. It's opening these children's eyes to pathways and opportunities outside their community, which gives them hope."
IT is now essential to the standard education program everywhere
So why are parents paying for IT? And who is setting the limit?
Australia's State of Victoria is experimenting with an iPad pilot project; likely the first of many. Photo courtesy of Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
(Excursion to Lake Boga 1910)
• Camps and excursions are a long-established part of public education
But parents are still paying, and costs are going up
What parents pay• Year 7 example
Textbooks $340i-pad $682i-pad insurance $150School fees for essential items $460Leadership program (camp) $200Camp $270Locker $30Diary $15Excursions: $70 Blazer $220Rest of uniform $350
TOTAL: $2,987PLUS Voluntary contribution $200
• Year 5 example
Textbooks $75Stationery $85School fees for essential items $225Excursions $135Swimming $90Sport $60Misc uniform (Uniform already
purchased) $55
TOTAL: $725PLUS Voluntary contribution $130PLUS any extras like musical
instrument
2nd policy failure: choice and competition
Government schools forced into uneven competition with non-government schools
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