A new research paper published by Save Our Schools shows that public schools bear a very large burden of disadvantage but are under-resourced for the challenge. “Public schools have to do a lot more with fewer resources than Catholic and Independent schools”, said National Convenor, Trevor Cobbold.
“Income per student in public schools is 91.5% of the income of Catholic schools but the percentage of students from low socio-educationally advantaged (SEA) families in public schools is nearly 200% of that in Catholic schools.
“Income per student in public schools is only 70.5% of that of Independent schools while their percentage of low SEA students is 285.6% of that in Independent schools.
“There are very large disparities in some states:
- Income per student in Queensland public schools is only 85% of that of Catholic schools but the percentage of low SEA students is 237% higher than in Catholic schools.
- Income per student in NSW public schools is only 69% of that of Independent schools but the percentage of low SEA students is 326% higher than in Independent schools.
- Income per student in Victorian public schools is only 61% of that of Independent schools but the percentage of low SEA students is 312% higher than in Independent schools.
“Public schools enrol the vast majority of students from the lowest SEA quartile. 80.5% of low SEA students attend public schools compared to 11.8% in Catholic schools and only 7.7% in Independent schools [Chart 2]. Public schools enrol the vast proportion of low SEA students in every state/territory.
“Most disadvantaged schools are public schools. In 2023, 90.9% of schools with more than 50% of their students in the lowest SEA quartile were public schools [Chart 3]. Only 4% were Catholic schools and 5.2% were Independent schools. Public schools account for the vast majority of disadvantaged schools in every state/territory.
Mr. Cobbold said that this is the first comprehensive analysis of the social composition and concentration of disadvantage in schools for many years.
“Our findings demolish the myth perpetrated by Catholic school organisations that Catholic schools serve a similar population to public schools. It also demolishes claims by Independent schools that they serve a large proportion of low income families.”
Mr. Cobbold said that public schools face an enormous challenge in improving school outcomes for low SEA and other disadvantaged students because they are under-resourced and face large shortages in human and material resources.
“It is imperative that governments at all levels ensure that public schools are fully funded to improve school outcomes for disadvantaged students. The vast majority of public schools will remain under-funded indefinitely under current funding agreements.
“The new funding agreements between the Commonwealth and the governments of Victoria and South Australia announced by the Prime Minister set a new standard in ensuring public schools are fully funded. The agreements with the other states and the Northern Territory must be renegotiated to align with the Victorian and South Australian agreements to ensure that all public schools are fully funded in future.”