Untold back-stories: the little things media don't tell us but which are nevertheless pertinent
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In an article entitled "School donations continue to yield millions of dollars for wealthier schools" on RNZ's website on 19 February, Data journalist Farah Hancock reported on the fees ("donations") that (some) schools were charging parents/guardians for their children to attend. Many schools have opted for state funding in return for no fees/"donations" being requested from parents/guardians.
The article shared this curious statement from Myles Hogarty, Principal of De La Salle College situated in Auckland's Otara:
“Parents are asked to contribute and have ownership in their son's education through a minor financial contribution. We did not join the Government donation scheme as we are opposed to the creation of a hand-out mentality. Removing a parent's obligation to fund their son's education builds a culture of dependency on the state to provide more and more.”
Hancock stated that De La Salle “is eligible for the scheme but has opted out, instead also asking parents to pay $120 per student... based on figures provided by the school, this philosophical stance meant the school missed out on almost $90,000 in 2023.”
De LaSalle College has an enrollment between 913 and 1,100. It is a religious, single-sex, secondary school . It was formed in 1953 "embracing... a framework of Lasallian values". It has a Decile 1 rating.
At some point post-1975, it became a state-integrated school. Which means it recieves... state funding.
In fact, the funding is substantial. In 2022 alone, De La salle recieved $8,767,181 in taxpayer cash:
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In all, between 2018 and 2022, De LaSalle recieved the considerable sum of $41,085,623 from the State.
Which makes it hard to reconcile Mr Hogarty's high-sounding assertion that his school is "opposed to the creation of a hand-out mentality" and "removing a parent's obligation to fund their son's education builds a culture of dependency on the state to provide more and more".
Furthermore, in 2022, Mr Hogarty expressed bitter disappointment when his college missed out on State funding from the previous government's new Equity Index:
"One of those was De La Salle College, in Auckland's Māngere East. Principal Myles Hogarty said it was an "extremely disappointing surprise" when they found out last Thursday their index number meant their funding would drop by about $100,000. Hogarty said that would likely mean the former decile 1 school would have to cut programmes."
Mr Hogarty was blunt in losing taxpayer money:
“To lose that sort of funding will have an impact on learning. It seems we are being penalised for the outstanding results of the students... I am not sure exactly how this was determined, but I can't say there has been any significant changes from day-to-day interactions with students and their families.”
Predictably, some Right-wingers lapped up this "thumbing" at State funding. (Though clearly not realising Mr Hogarty's double-think on the issue).
It is in poor taste to criticise State funding as a "hand-out mentality" - whilst at the same time taking in excess of $40 million over a four year period, AND while also criticising the government of the day for your own institution missing out on additional State funding.
And just to be clear, De La Salle college did not heroically choose to forego funding for the donations scheme. They were declined.
It won't be the first time that those who've eschewed State funding have been revealed to have their "hands out" for a bit of taxpayers' cash:
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Sometimes a simple "thank you" will suffice.
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References
RNZ: School donations continue to yield millions of dollars for wealthier schools
ERO: De La Salle College
La Salle: De La Salle College, Mangere East, New Zealand
De La Salle College: Core Lasallian Values
Ministry of Education: Ministry funding deciles
Education Counts: De La Salle College
Kiwiblog: Comment by " NeverMindTheBollocks"
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Privatisation of our schools?!
Christchurch, choice, and charter schools
Charter Schools – John Key’s re-assurances
Charter Schools – contrary to ACT’s free market principles?
Privatisation of our schools?!
Charter Schools – Another lie from John Banks!
Charter Schools in a Post-Truth Era
A little warning regarding Charter Schools
NZ Initiative – Bulk Funding Schools
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Acknowledgement: Robert Matson (USA. I couldn’t find a local cartoon with the same message. Hint for Aotearoa’s talented cartoonists?)
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= fs =
So true Frank. Education is my area and this blokes crocodile tears are amazing. As well as state funded schools have you seen what Seymour's Charter Schools received per student compared to state school students? Taxpayer Union level of hypocrisy with Atlas Network level of mis/disinformation.
A great example of real hypocrisy, thanks Frank.