Education expert Ken Boston highlights a significant divide in funding between public and private schools, arguing that this disparity exacerbates social inequity across the education system.

Australia spends more on private schools than the global average, with 40% of students enrolled in non-government schools compared to the OECD average of 18%.

Pasi Sahlberg warns that ongoing funding trends could lead to increasing educational inequity in Australia, highlighting the urgent need for reform.

The Australian Education Union President, Correna Haythorpe, has criticized the underfunding of public schools, warning that this trend risks leaving students behind in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Many public schools struggle to provide comprehensive education due to a lack of resources, in stark contrast to well-funded private institutions that receive substantial public funding.

Critics challenge the notion that private schools are not overfunded at the expense of public schools, noting that public institutions often receive only 90% or less of the Schooling Resource Standard, while private schools exceed 100%.

The ongoing debate surrounding public school funding in Australia reveals deep-seated historical conflicts, illustrating that the current public/private school system has often been a source of division rather than a stable arrangement.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare announced that by 2026, Northern Territory and Western Australia will achieve fully funded public schools, a decision made through negotiations rather than relying on private school funding.

Alister McKenzie criticizes the funding model that allows private schools to selectively attract talented students and teachers, leaving public schools to grapple with diverse challenges.

Diane Dennis suggests that politicians should send their children to public schools to drive the necessary changes in funding and policy.

Warren Marks supports the assertion that the current funding model fails to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children, regardless of their socio-economic status.

The responsibility for public school funding primarily lies with state governments, which have not fully implemented the Gonski reforms over the past decade.