In School and Out

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30951, 6 January 1966, Page 7

In School and Out

“Whatever the claims and merits of private schools versus State schools may be there is no doubt that the private schools save the Government a great deal of money,” says a leading article in the “New Zealand Economist and Taxpayer”.

“Without wishing to enter in any way the religious battle which has surrounded this question in recent years, there is no gainsaying that the £5O a year tax deduction allowed for school fees (only £25 if you have contributed an equal amount to your favourite charity) is a pittance by comparison with the cost involved; and with allowances permitted in other countries such as Australia.

“Eighty thousand New Zealand parents send their children to private schools—for many reasons. Some because of the religious convictions; many because of their isolation; some (the silly ones) because of snob appeal; and a growing number because they believe—and often after experience—that, especially in primary schools, their children receive a better grounding in education and discipline. “The Minister of Education provided these facts:— “New Zealand has 340 registered primary and 112 registered secondary private schools.

“57,154 children attend these primary school; 24,439 attend the secondary private schools.

“The capital cost of existing private schools has never been calculated. Much re-

search and many factors would have to be taken into account. Even an approximate estimate cannot be given —it could be anywhere between £4O million and £lOO million. “If private schools were taken over by the Government, it would be possible in some areas to accommodate children from private schools te one or more State schools with relatively little immediate increase in cost. But on the information available the figure could exceed £5 million a year if all were taken over, “The annual cost of existing contributions to private schools by the Government m 1964-65 was £378,000. “Capital expenditure on State schools in 1964-65 was £9,863,000. “Cost of running State schools in 1964-65 was £36,848,000. “From the Government Statistician's age distribution, the total primary school roll —State and private—can be put at 398,400 (assuming all children aged 5 to 12 are at primary school), and the secondary school roll at a minimum of 187,000 (children 13 to 16).

“Private school pupils thus represent 14 per cent and 13 per cent respectively of these totals —say 14 per cent overall.

“Tuition fees at private schools vary considerably; but taking £3O a term as the average for primary schools and £5O a term for secondary schools, we can estimate tuition fees alone at private schools at £5.1 million (primary) and £3.7 million (secondary); total £B.B million.

“Adding this to the £36.8 million cost of running the State schools gives a total of £45.6 million. So the parents of pupils at private schools contributed 18 per cent of the running costs (allowing for the Government contribution of £0.4 million) for 13 per cent of the pupils. “You can read what you like into these figures: you might say that private schools provide a better education because they spend more on each child—or you might say State schools are more efficient because they achieve the same result at less cost. But it cannot be gainsaid that private schools save the taxpayer a considerable sum. “Should private school supporters get more than a token contribution from the public purse (e.g. higher tax exemptions)? We trust the views expressed in our contributors’ articles this month will help readers decide this issue which we believe to be one of the vital questions in New Zealand education today.”