Envy Funding
Age Friday, October 24, 2008
The basis for federal funding of non-government schools under the Rudd-Gillard government will continue to be the Socio Economic Status (SES) formula, whereby children of less advantaged families qualify for higher levels of funding, and vice versa.
But the school funding bill now before the federal parliament has a new clause that all schools shall have to reveal to the government whatever funds they may receive by way of donations or fundraising, and that these figures may be published.
It is hard to see what this information could be used for, except somewhere down the track to stir up envy against schools which receive greater direct community financial input. This sentiment could then be invoked to reduce funding to such schools.
This would have bad effects on society. The community would be less willing to support their schools. This would increase the burden on the taxpayer. And it would suppress the natural inclination of families to be involved with their children’s needs.
This raises an interesting question. Given that we are already funding people according to their SES, why would we then want to financially punish those people who choose to devote more of their income to children’s education? We do not consider punishing people for other personal spending choices – except vices and luxury cars. What strange values.
Philip O'Carroll