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First 100 Years of European Settlement
Schools were originally operated by a anumber of different groups and for specific children. Each of the Christian denominations running schools alongside those run by the govt. Teaching methods varied and attendance was neither universal or regular. Most schools funded by the govt and churches were seen to have a legitimate role to play in education. Education was not seen as a right for all the state acting as a regulator for education was not widely accepted. -
Colonies Grew
As colonies grew the differences and inconsistencies between different schools became obvious. Children particularly hose from remote rural settlements were unable to access schools. Chuches did not have the resources to establish schools in these remote areas and there was growing rivalry between Catholics and various Protestant denominations. -
Greenwood & the Public School League
Greenwood, a baptist minister established the Public School League. They advocated for a national, free, secular and compulsary schooling system. They argued that as there were many religions in NSW, the state should not support any particular denomination. There was also a need for an urgent change to the governance and structure of schooling as up to 1/3 of children were not receiving a school education. This new regime of schools needed to be compulsary. -
Opposition to Secular Education
Bishop Vaughan opposed the push for public secular education. He was concerned that secular education would corrupt the morals of Catholic children. The leaders of the Catholic church felt that it was essential that Catholics maintain a strong school system if they were to retain their cultural identity and improve their social and economic circumstances -
Public Instruction Act
Most significant education legislation ever introduced in NSW.
It instituted the principe of non-sectarian teaching but allowed for continuing access for visiting clergy and made attendance compusary for 6-14 year olds. -
End of State Aid to denominational schools
The Public Instruction Act ended all funding to denominational schools. Allowed for separation of the Church and State. Public education became bureaucratic, centralised uniform and secular. The state eventually accepted full responsibility for funding these schools and refused funding for any schools other than those which it directly administered. -
The Disadvantaged
Majority of people benefited from the Act. However, Aborigines, Catholics and a smaller number of followers of other Christian and non-Christian faiths found themselves faced with the prospect of attending a free govt school whose curriculum, teachers and practices did not adequately reflect their social and cultural heritage.
Aborigines either succumbed to public education or were converted in various church mission sschools, or were not educated at all, as they weren't recognised as citizens. -
Education Act of NSW
Addressed issues of curriculum with primary and secondary schools, compulsary attendance, criteria for government schools and registration for non-government schools, as well as addressing the provision of schooling in an increasingly multicultural, global and 'class-based' society. -
Current Debate
Much of the current debate around schooling deals with the relationships between government and non-government schools, increased growth in enrolments of non-government schools and the increases in federal government funding for non-government schools. -
Gonski Report
The Gonski Review was the most comprehensive investigation of the way schools are funded in Australia in almost 40 years. Gonski found Australia is investing far too little in education and, in particular, in public schools.As a consequence, too many students are missing out on the resources they need and recommended a $5Billion a year injection to public and private schools (75% to public schools).