As an Australian parent in 2019, the public versus private school debate is hard to avoid. With two children aged 9 and 11, and living in a fairly affluent area of Melbourne, I am continually asked “which private school will you send your kids to”?
When I respond that I am considering sending my daughter to the local public schools (my autistic son goes to a special school), I am often greeted with blank stares or comments like “but don’t you want to give your child the best possible education”?
My usual response is to either ignore their comment or retort with something like: “there’s no guarantee that private schooling leads to better outcomes” or “I cannot justify the cost”.
