This public school is facing closure as more parents choose private education | 7.30

Key Concepts

• Public school closures due to declining enrollment.
• Shift from public to private school enrollment.
• Funding disparities between public and private schools.
• Impact of school type on university attainment.
• Gonski review and national school resourcing standard.

Cambra Public School: A Case Study

Cambra Public School, located in a National Park near Sydney, faces potential closure due to a significant drop in student enrollment, from over 200 to just 39. This puts it at risk of being the first Sydney public school to be put into recess in two decades. Parents like Lily Stewart, who chose Cambra for its nurturing environment after her son experienced bullying and depression in another school, are fighting to keep it open. The New South Wales Education Department attributes the decline to changing demographics and a decrease in the number of students in the Northern Beaches area.

Enrollment Trends: Public vs. Private

Figures from the New South Wales private school lobby reveal a trend of parents moving their children out of the public school system. In the federal electorate of McKela, 2,658 students left public schools in the past 5 years, while over 700 new students enrolled in private schools. ABS data shows that over the last 5 years, public school enrollments grew by just 1% compared to an 18.5% rise at independent schools and a 6.6% rise at Catholic schools.

Funding Disparities and Their Impact

Dr. Emma Row highlights the funding disparities between public and private schools in New South Wales, describing the situation as a "laughingstock" and an "anomaly outside of Australia." She argues that underfunded public schools are being asked to compete with overfunded private schools, comparing it to "putting two kids in a marathon," where "one has running shoes and the other does not have running shoes."

Ilawa Christian School: A Contrasting Example

Ilawa Christian School, a faith-based low to medium fee school south of Sydney, exemplifies the growth in the private school sector. Its enrollment has increased from around 600 students in 2020 to 800 today, leading to the acquisition of neighboring properties for expansion.

Parental Perspectives: Choosing Private Education

Tim Kenosa, a former public school teacher and now a pastor, made the difficult decision to move two of his three children to a private school. While it involves a "significant money sacrifice" and increased travel time (50 minutes vs. 10 minutes to the local public school), the family was drawn to the school's pastoral care. The fees average about $65,000 a year per student.

Impact on University Attainment: David McCloskey's Research

Independent data scientist David McCloskey's research reveals a correlation between the type of secondary school attended and the likelihood of attaining a university degree. His study found that 31% of public school students attain a university degree, compared to 45% for Catholic school alumni and 53.5% for those who attended independent schools. McCloskey stated, "What this means is that your opportunity to actually get a well- paid professional job depends in part on the type of secondary school you went to." He expressed surprise at the level of disparity he found, saying, "Look, I think it sucks and I never expected to find the level of disparity that I've seen in this study."

It's important to note that previous studies have found little difference in outcomes between private and public students after controlling for parents' education levels and wealth, and there's evidence public school students may actually perform better than private students once at university.

The Gonski Review and Future Funding

The national school resourcing standard, stemming from the Gonski review almost 15 years ago, aims to address funding disparities. A new $16 billion funding deal has been signed by all states, with the goal of reaching minimum funding levels over the next decade. While improved funding for public schools is seen as a positive outcome, the parents of Cambra Public School worry that it may not come quickly enough to save their school.

Conclusion

The potential closure of Cambra Public School highlights a broader trend of declining enrollment in public schools and a shift towards private education. This shift is influenced by factors such as changing demographics, parental perceptions of school quality, and funding disparities. Research suggests that attending a private school may increase the likelihood of university attainment, although this is debated. The implementation of the Gonski review's funding recommendations offers hope for improving public school resources, but the future of schools like Cambra remains uncertain.