Why should tax-payers pay twice?

By the winged avenger

Government handouts to iconic industries like Fisher & Paykel are one thing – they employ 1600+ kiwis after all.

Expecting taxpayers to bail out “prestigious” private schools is quite another. Taxpayers already pay for perfectly good state schools, which welcome a diverse range of NZ students.

Why should taxpayers pay twice, because Wanganui (sic) Collegiate can’t balance its books? If the market is talking, perhaps they should listen – and adjust accordingly. Perhaps they could recruit more foreign fee-payers? Each one generates $37,500 for the school. Local day students pay a mere $14,108.50 per annum. Wanganui Collegiate boarders pay even more.

By contrast, local state school, Wanganui City College asks families for a school donation of $100-$170 per year. Like Collegiate, they offer hostel accommodation for boarders and equestrian for the horsey set. They too have foreign fee payers: at WCC tuition and accommodation costs for international students add up to about $20,000 per year.

Choices are there for parents who want something other than a good local school. If the market shows that state schools have what it takes – and we know they do – then collegiate must pay the market penalty. The Collegiate board should be called to account for its poor financial management and questions asked by the school’s stakeholders about its failure to perform. But the answer is not taxpayer subsidies.

Taxpayers already fund state education. Why should we pay twice, while “independent” schools double dip? If more money is needed for education – and we can always use more – keep it in the state system.