Anthony Mannering calls for factual debate (Canberra Times, “Learning lessons the hard way”, June 26). Excellent idea. Mannering says “it can cost twice as much per student to run a small school than a large one”. Yes it can, but only in a few of cases of very small (Tharwa) or special needs (Rivett) schools. Some of the schools to be closed cost only 10% more than average, and Many of them have some special needs students, so their per-student cost is higher, but the Government have not provided figures which account for this.
Mannering uses Gilmore Primary as an example of cost blowout by 2010. Currently the cost to educate a child at Gilmore Primary is $9261, which is about average in the ACT ($9248). He assumes this figure will rise by 2010 based solely on the “fact” that it will be at 28% capacity. This assumption relies on a capacity of 625 from the 2020 document – this figure is incorrect as it includes demountables.
Mannering doubts the educational benefits of small schools without backing this up. How about these assessments “Studies show all else being equal, students in small schools score higher on tests, pass more courses and go on to college more frequently than those in larger ones” and “Good schools are small. The evidence is clear, in fact it is overwhelming: small schools improve attendance, achievement, climate, safety, graduation and college attendance rates, staff satisfaction, and parent involvement”. These are both from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is actively supporting small schools in the USA. The value of small schools is backed up by the study of Cotton (1996) that is referenced on the 2020 website.
We need more facts in this debate, parents are clamouring for them. They were conspicuously absent from Anthony Mannering’s contribution.
Update: Published in the Canberra Times, 29th June.
