Decentralise Power
The Australian Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Dear Editor,
Bring Schools into Real World
I never thought I’d be backing a Labor Government policy on the issue of fair opportunity through schooling. But I fully agree with Education Minister Julia Gillard on her combination remedy for better school performance: decentralise authority to school principals, and measure performance by external assessment.
This brings schools into the real world. It gives children in poor suburbs a better chance. Non-government schools have always had the advantage of not being remotely controlled, and have been better able to devote their resources and energy to their own school’s needs.
This is a change of culture that the “central people” can make easier or harder. I recommend they continue to provide a template for the various aspects of running a school, then let schools take over each aspect locally as and when they are ready.
Then abolish all zoning and let parents vote with their feet.
Philip O’Carroll Co-Founder, Fitzroy Community School