Public or private education, which one is better?

I went to two small public schools - especially because my real mum was a single mother pensioner while I was growing up; and with my foster family, my school fees were covered by the Government as I was a state ward, with the exception of a scholarship awarded in the final two years of school - miraculously. This was why I was brought up in the public system, and the education was okay/they were great schools - especially high school, despite missing out on four years of school, due to personal and family circumstances/illnesses, and hence slipped through the cracks, only to spend two years at tafe in my first two years out of school to catch up and fit into society. Hence why I first worked at the age of 21. It was funny though, because I became a prefect in year 12, and was on a scholarship to see out my final two years of school, despite being so close to being kicked out of school at 16.

My two little nieces go to a public school, and their mum is planning on sending them to private school at high school level. Their education has been great :)

When I was at uni, at age 24, I was working in a great marketing role, and my boss (the Project Director) was only 32, and the only boss who I respected at that time to date. He went to top private schools, and it showed in his temperament, respect for others, and for this strong levels of discipline. Boys in private schools become part of the Army cadets for instance.

Pros and cons of both. For private schools, the fees are high, yet a good investment. When I have kids, I'll be sending them to private schools. Private all the way. Private school students are impeccably dressed, while public school students are dressed as dags in comparison. However, never judge a book by it's cover.

by Justine Crowley

Up until 16, my parents sent me to private school. The main reason with this was to help with my dyspraxia. For secondary, I was sent to a school that specialised in educating children with dyslexia and similar conditions. The teachers were all familiar with the learning difficulties the children had, and knew the best ways in which to teach. Classes were small so everyone got lots of attention.

Education in public schools can be just as good, but classes are much larger, children don't always get the individual attention they need, and the more students there are, means the more chance of getting badly behaved children disrupting the class.

For my A-Levls, I went to a very good public school, but classes were still small because students had branched off into different subjects.

by Bryony Harrison

Never judge a book by its cover...speaking of which, I had to partake in a debating competition in high school, where our high school had to compete against a top private school with water views from their classrooms. Our preparation time was distracted as a result, and we had the toughest topic as we lost the coin toss. Points were also awarded for presentation in terms of appearance, and this is where our school lost heaps of points. Hair hanging out, daggy jumpers, unpolished shoes etc... To cut a long story short, we only lost the debate by two points on a hard side, while we learnt that the other team had picked up almost 15 points on appearance, while we lost heaps of marks for our scruffy appearances in comparison. Turned out, the public school kids were smarter than the impeccably dressed private school counterparts on such occasions in debating. Needless to say, our parents were proud of us as smart individuals, except for our scruffy public school uniform.

by Justine Crowley

Pay peanuts and you get monkeys. Until Australia and possibly other countries value their teachers as Finland does by handsomely remunerating them, neither system is going to produce young people who have reached their potential. Any maths or science teacher worth their salt would in reality be making a fortune in a profession other than teaching.

by grann

To be quite honest, I attended a Catholic school up to year 5. It was then decided I attended a public school for year 6. I had to undertake an academic test with one of the teachers. Whilst times tables was drummed into me with the nuns, and I did reasonably well in that test, I was behind academically so I had to repeat year 6 in the public school. I did, however, win all the scripture prizes!!

by fifi.

My son has only been to public school and I have been extremely happy with all the teachers, curriculum and the opportunities he has been given. I chose a relatively small school for him and it has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the school community. The teachers are lovely, the parents supportive and the children very friendly and easy going.

by Ivana Katz

I went to a Private School Grades I-XII. Loved it.

My children went to the excellent local State School, Grades I-IV, inclusive.

Then onto Private Schools, Grades V-XII, inclusive.

They experienced a very well-rounded Education, & are both Certificated, & Degree'd in their chosen, successful professional fields' now.

I believe they obtained 'the best of both worlds'.
They were very happy at School, & are grateful for the opportunity a Private School education gave them.

by donjo