Schools need more than money
By Melita Knight
There has been much debate about funding for education and where
more of it should go: public or private? Those whose children
attend public schools will of course argue that public schools
should get more. There is no doubting that some schools desperately
need funds and that educational resources will be much improved if
government schools had more money. However, everyone has the right
to a good and proper education. This includes private school
students whose parents choose to send them there, parents who also
pay taxes and should also have a say in where that money goes.
We do need to make our public education system the best it can
be though. There are more students at public schools than private
schools, and they are not selective with who they allow in; anyone,
regardless of religious beliefs, background, or income, can receive
an education.
Some people doubt the quality of public education, even though
there is no solid data which proves that its students are,
educationally, worse off than those with private education.
To truly improve public education we need more than just
funding. We need to create an environment that students actually
want to go to. This does not just mean a place where they don't
have to worry about being bullied, though this is very important.
It also means a place where they are going to be engaged, where
their interest will be captured by the content and presentation of
the work. Not all students have a passion for learning, so we need
to think of ways to get these kids interested in their work so that
they can get the most out of their schooling.
It is not just the school environment that is important, but
also the home one. Importance needs to be placed on education and
completing set work on time. Parents need to encourage and support
their children's education, and create a space where they can get
work done without distractions.
Public schools need to be a place where intelligence and
creativity can be nurtured. While those who struggle with their
school work and who may be disadvantaged in other ways do need help
and support, we cannot overlook those who are doing well
academically or artistically. Private schools, with their smaller
class sizes, are better equipped to give these students the
attention they need to fulfil their potential. It is much harder in
public schools to give students the attention they need, whether
they are struggling or succeeding academically, or are somewhere in
between, students will do much better if they get more
attention.
For students to get the best education they can, the government
must also look at the quality of the content being taught. Schools
in rural and regional areas have far less subjects to choose from
than their metropolitan counterparts. Subjects such as history and
geography which should be compulsory subjects are only available to
some.
Extra funding will always be needed and welcomed, but it is not
the only thing that our public schools need.
Are you a young person who wants their opinion heard? Lead On
Ballarat is looking for young people to work with journalists to
write on youth issues. For more information contact Lead On
Ballarat: ballarat@leadonballarat.com.au