Selective schools are by their very nature exclusive, writes Greg Whitby

OPINION: By their very nature, they exclude rather than include. This is because selective schools use a competitive selection process to stream their enrolments.

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OPINION

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced plans to open a new selective secondary school in Sydney’s southwest, reportedly in response to public demand.

Unfortunately, there has been less listening when it comes to the strong and united voices of education leaders against the decision.

A new selective school will not necessarily provide more opportunities for the students from south west Sydney.

By their very nature, they exclude rather than include. This is because selective schools use a competitive selection process to stream their enrolments.

 

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta executive director Greg Whitby. Picture: supplied

Many children are coached from their early years (usually at great expense to parents) in the hope of them securing a place in Year 7.

We have an equity issue here. Even if educators agreed that segregating able students was a good approach (and clearly most don’t), the tutoring factor creates a system that rewards financial advantage.

We should be about maximising the experience of school for all students, not just for those assessed to be academically gifted according to a test that many have had years of coaching to prepare for. Every parent wants the best for their child.

 

 

This is why we need highly skilled teachers in every school who use evidence-based approaches to bring learning alive for each child.

We get there by making smart decisions when it comes to education policy rather than popular ones.

NSW doesn’t need another selective school; it needs to be more choosy when it comes to investing in high-quality schooling experiences for every child.