Editor’s view: Education shouldn’t depend on the ability to pay

All children deserve a quality education, and the ability or will of parents to pay upwards of $10,000 a year in fees should not predicate the outcome, writes the editor.

The release of Queensland NAPLAN results does more than offer a “point-in-time test” of a school’s performance, as Education Minister Grace Grace has said.

It provides parents with an indispensable resource to help assess a school’s academic outcome, and crucially, shines a light on the excellent work of many of the state’s passionate teachers.

As revealed in a News Corp Australia analysis of 2022 NAPLAN results of more than 1400 primary and secondary schools across public, Catholic and independent sectors, fee-free schools are mixing it with the best that pricey private education has to offer.

State primary schools proved to be particularly strong, with two in Brisbane – Sunnybank Hills and Rainworth – eclipsing the elite Brisbane Grammar, St Aidan’s and Somerville House.

Eagle Junction State School also made the top 10 in the state, while among high schools, the selective Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology took the No.1 spot and Brisbane State High the eighth.

What this clearly shows is that when schools are well-resourced, including with the most precious resource of all – dedicated and results-driven teachers – great things can happen.

All children deserve a quality education, and the ability or will of parents to pay upwards of $10,000 a year in fees should not predicate the outcome.

It has to be acknowledged that academic results are never going to be the full measure of a school.

Pastoral care, a diverse extra-curricular program, and the positive involvement of parents in their children’s education are also central, helping shape a school’s individual culture.

As Cannon Hill Anglican College principal Gary O’Brien told The Courier-Mail, a strong academic tradition should be part of the holistic development of each student.

What is also undeniable is the role of schools in reducing the incidence of juvenile crime.

As this newspaper reports today, dropping out of school is the most common precursor for young people who end up in youth detention.

In 2021 the Family and Child Commission surveyed 1642 young offenders and found more than 52 per cent of incarcerated kids had disengaged from education, training and employment.

As the Queensland government vows to get tough on youth crime – in response to rising public outrage and the Enough is Enough campaign by this newspaper and every other daily newspaper in the state – it must look at ways to build student retention.

It must invest in education and truly value the role of teachers and support them in their careers.

Schools cannot be expected to take full responsibility for the way kids turn out, of course, but they can help play a critical role in a young person’s behaviour, self-confidence, resilience and goals for the future.

Education is more often than not the key to success, in its many guises, and ensuring our schools have the resources needed to hit benchmarks and deliver for their students must be of paramount importance.

DOWN ON POLICE NUMBERS

The men and women of the Queensland Police Service undertake a tireless and sometimes thankless job to maintain law and order and protect people and their property every day.

In the past year they have endured the tragic loss of two of their own in the Wieambilla shootings and have been at the forefront of the juvenile crime crisis.

But as The Courier-Mail reveals today, the state government has fallen well behind an election pledge to boost QPS numbers by 1450 officers by 2025. Internal staffing figures show the police’s total headcount for sworn officers has actually grown by just 92 officers to 12,319 since the 2020 election. It is also revealed that four stations have no officers assigned at all and communities rely on sharing police with neighbouring regions.

Queenslanders are looking to police to keep them safe and the government should move quickly to give them the numbers and resources they need to get the job done.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here