Get 'em while they're young

Fees for students of elite private schools have shot up. The principal of one of these schools explained that the increase in fees was due to the increase in staff wages. Blast those decadent teachers! Yet somehow I don't think that adequately explains the increase in fees.

They say our most fundamental traits are acquired in our earliest years. At least to the extent that our nature is the product of external factors and not genetics. Perhaps that explains the latest 'dilemma' for the elite private schools sector. It seems the nurseries for the future captains of industry, government, and privilege are run by the same mechanisms that dictate our capitalist society. Like our economy, elite private schools are intensely subsidised, disproportionately so, yet appear to be constantly in need of further funding. The target for this latest of funding crises is the usual one - the gullible and/or rich parents of elite private school students.

I like the Greens' response:

Massive hikes in elite private school fees demonstrate the need for a new direction in school funding, according to Greens NSW Education spokesperson John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Federal Education Minister Brendan and his predecessor, Dr Kemp, supported their massive increases in funding of private schools by arguing that the money would make these institutions more affordable.

"Continued growth in fees well above the inflation rate for the elite institutions and the introduction of private schools for profit proves that this policy has failed.

"Despite annual subsidies of more than $110 million going to the wealthiest private schools in NSW alone, they are becoming much less affordable.

"In fact the Howard government's policy has actually made these schools less affordable by creating ever greater competition between them. This has meant escalating investments in lavish grounds, luxurious buildings and extravagant facilities that are attractive to high net worth parents, but add little to educational outcomes.

"The Howard government talks about accountability but has sat back and allowed some of their funds and some of the parents money to go into profit rather than teachers' salaries and other relevant resources.

"The NSW State government, which gave $50 million to the wealthiest private schools continues to fund these institutions without regard to the increases in the federal government subsidies.

"It is time to rethink the failed policy of funding those institutions that already operate with an excessive level of resources. Public schools should be the highest priority of both levels of government," Dr Kaye said.