ACOSS 2011 National Conference Kathy Landvogt Good 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 equity What went wrong?

Voluntary = -$100 Standard educational program Not itemised 1 st 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 $340 i-pad $682 i-pad insurance $150 School fees for essential items $460 Leadership program (camp) $200 Camp $270 Locker $30 Diary $15 Excursions: $70 Blazer $220 Rest of uniform $350 TOTAL: $2,987 PLUS Voluntary contribution $200 Year 5 example Textbooks $75 Stationery $85 School fees for essential items $225 Excursions $135 Swimming $90 Sport $60 Misc uniform (Uniform already purchased) $55 TOTAL: $725 PLUS Voluntary contribution $130 PLUS any extras like musical instrument

2 nd policy failure: choice and competition

Government schools forced into uneven competition with non- government schools