Public versus Private Education; which is better?

[alexander]

There seems to be an increasingly prevalent view in Australia (and probably many other countries), that public education is substandard.  Many parents seem to think that they would be letting their children down by sending them to a public school.  They will go to any length to afford the exorbitant fees charged by private schools, often going into debt or enlisting financial support from grandparents.  While private education may have benefits, I can very confidently state (based on 15 years of experience teaching in both systems) that public education is by no means a second rate education.  While private schools may have superior resources, teaching standards in the public system are definitely superior.

Due to government funding policies and income from fees private schools can boast of facilities public schools can only dream of. For example, sporting and technology facilities in private schools are far more extensive than those that public schools can access.  However, public schools are able to provide more than adequate facilities in most cases.  If this were not true, how is it possible that public school students attain top rankings in highly resource dependant areas such as computing and science?

Many people seem to think that teacher training courses at universities are easy to get into.  In 2005 a UAI of 80 + was needed; a more than respectable attainment.  Many of my colleagues at teacher’s college had come from successful careers in areas such as medicine, engineering and business.  They turned to a career in teaching, not for increased financial rewards but because they sought fulfilment in a more people oriented field. 

All teachers in public schools have undertaken intensive, specialist training in education.  Teachers in private schools are only required to have an undergraduate degree.  In fact, early in 2005 a small scandal erupted when it was revealed that a number of  private school teachers did not even have these qualifications.

Not only are public school teachers required to have a higher level of tertiary education than their private counterparts (a post graduate diploma of education being the minimum requirement), they can also access ongoing professional development throughout their teaching careers.  I have attained several additional, university accredited qualifications in areas such as English as a Second Language, literacy education and technology through professional development programs.  I can personally attest to the fact that the standard of teaching at my own (public) school is of an outstanding level.  Through an innovative approach to the resources available this standard continues to improve.   

Perhaps parents are guilty of letting down their children by not sending them to a public school…

Support public education; lobby your MP for increased govt. funding[/i]

[Jam]

Are you saying that its better to study in public school than in private?
The education seems like the same way but maybe its all about the school facilities and equipments.

[koko]

>.< i like the uniform of prviate skool and the disciple system buh i like how public skools namily selective teach their students no wonder their always topping the Hsc lists 

[alexander]

It is of course true that private schools have better facilities than public schools.  If students have to pay $10,000+ per term AND the school receives the same (if not more) funding as a public school; it's little wonder the facilities are better.

My contention is that the teaching is better in public schools.  Public school teachers have a higher level of training which is constantly being updated.  Public school teachers also teach in spite of the very bad behaviour of some students, finding ways to manage it (grrrrr).  If you muck up in a private school THEY KICK YOU TO THE KERB quick smart.  Private school teachers almost never have to deal with such problems; they just teach.  People should have more respect (awestruck admiration even!) for the incredible job public schools do.

[taeka123]

nooo school bleep!! just go to tafe its pretty easy.. well thats what my friend told me! 

[alexander]

nooo school bleep!s! just go to tafe its pretty easy.. well thats what my friend told me! 

Yes, of course.  Life is easy.  You don't have to do a thing and everything gets handed to you on a silver platter.  My friend also told me there are fairies at the bottom of my garden and gold at the end of every rainbow.  Ooops, was that another pig flying past my window?

[Warsha]

pffffft

nooo school bleep!s! just go to tafe its pretty easy.. well thats what my friend told me!