Selective schools create an uneven playing field and promote unfair competition

GETTING into a selective high school is like an elite sporting competition with parents pitted against each other in a battle for places for their children.

The selective school model promotes inequity in the school system.

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IT has been argued recently that, while we continue to have three school systems operating in Australia (government, independent and Catholic), we will always have inequality in education.

This argument is framed in terms of expenditure versus­ student outcomes.

I don’t believe inequality in our education system comes from having government, Catholic and independent schools coexisting in our communities.

There are many examples of local government and Catholic schools in low socio-economic areas where students are achieving outstanding learning outcomes.

The selective school model does not support diversity.

We are fortunate to live in a country that can offer parents choice with schooling.

No, the real inequity in our education system lies in the selective school model that systematically skims the best and brightest students out of local government and Catholic schools. It is probably no surprise that last year’s top four HSC high schools were all selective.

Gaining a place in a selective high school has become high pressure and high stakes. It is akin to elite sporting competition with parents paying to have their children tutored from Year 3 on. This creates a hothouse culture where the love of learning is replaced by a fast-track formula for success.

On the other hand, educating students within a broader learning environment like comprehensive schools can be beneficial and rewarding for students including the most gifted.

The selective school model encourages some parents to get extra tutoring for their children.

A comprehensive environment aims at challenging each student based on their ability through quality teaching and diverse learning experiences.

All schools are meant to reflect contemporary Australian society not academically engineered versions of it. While the concept of selective­ schooling may be appealing­ to some parents and students, the practicality is that it reduces diversity rather than builds it.

My advice to parents is by all means be selective about the school you choose for your son or daughter – it should never be the other way around.

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