Who is kidding themselves- Public vs. Private Schooling

Often in society there is this debate as to which school is suitable for your child to attend, private or public? This topic has been an on going controversial and heated discussion, which plagues our minds regarding schooling options. Why are private schools necessary when we are all learning from a set curriculum? It is only creating identity divisions within itself.

Private schooling is usually associated with this representation of upper and middle class status from well-off socio-economic and stable affluent families. This stereotypical assumption that economic advantages will pose as a beneficial resource in which the school itself will affect one’s identity in terms of academic achievement and success (Steele, 1997). With the student’s perceived advantage, this can sometimes show cracks and vulnerability in their learning environment. Douglas (2013) reveals that a study was conducted on performance levels, showing that “students from public schools actually perform better, relying on the self-motivation”. It goes to show that regardless of whether you attend a public or private school, everybody has the equal potential, ability and opportunity to succeed. A student’s success does not purely rely on whether they attend a public or private school. There are other factors that help constitute a student’s success; the location of the school, gender, teachers, student’s, the student’s motivation, etc.  

The graph below shows the increase in the proportion of children attending private in comparison to public schools from 1901 to 2012. In 1901 the portion of students attending a private school were one in four, whereas the shift of enrolments in private schools over the last decade has reached a portion of one in three students. This is a large jump in the results shown. It was not until the 1960’s where grants were made for private school education fees, where they were made more affordable and accessible for families and from here the enrolments continued to rise (Tovey, 2013). As a result parents are choosing to send their children to private schools and pay extra for their education rather than enrolling in the public school. This idea that private schools offer more or better learning opportunities and therefore will succeed.

I attended a public school throughout my schooling education.  When I started high school, most of my peers went to private schools. Myself and two others from primary school were the only students who attended the local public high school. When I reflect now upon my schooling years and those who attended private schools, I cannot see any relevant advantages they would have had in relation to me attending the local public high school.   I have furthered my education by attending University whilst some of my private school peers have not taken further education since leaving high school.

In retrospect, public versus private schooling education is a subject, which will continue to be discussed within society when making collective choices about schooling options for their children. I feel that private and public schools are just titles towards statuses and impressions and it all boils down to personal choice, motivation and resources.

References

Douglas, R. (2013). ‘Did public school kids ever have a chance?’, The Drum ABC, 29 July,<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-29/douglas-did-public-school-kids-ever-have-a-chance/4850542>.

Steele, C. M. (1997). ‘A Threat in the Air’, how stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance, American Association Inc., Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 613.

Tovey, J. (2013). ‘Gone are the days of the old school yard’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 August, <http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/gone-are-the-days-of-the-old-school-yard-20130823-2sh09.html>.