Monopoly No Answer
To The Age Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Richard Teese (Age Opinion, 14 Sept) proposes a wall-to-wall state-run school system that would "concentrate resources" and thus revitalise the quality of education for all. But this is exactly the rationale behind the failed totalitarian states of last century.
He is simply ignoring the lesson that where there is no choice, no competition, a state monopoly can consume unlimited resources and still deliver poor quality and terrible inequities.
In his eagerness to deny parents the right to choose who shall teach their children, Teese would lock every child into a union-dominated system that refuses to recognise individual teacher quality.
Does he need proof that money by itself will not redeem a centralised school system, controlled by a narrow political faction? He need only remember the huge funding boost provided by the Whitlam government. Lots of cash, but no improvement in quality.
Another simple test is to look at the Catholic school system of today. It operates on a lower budget per child, yet achieves higher outcomes.
Even more parent choice will deliver even more opportunity to children of all income levels.
Philip O'Carroll