Elite schools' fees surge despite subsidy

What a surprise ...

It's important to keep the public thinking that they are paying more because it's a better service. If the fees are lower and private schooling is available to more and more people, what's the benefit for the few? A simple twist on supply and demand; economics 102; create a perceived need for your own product by running your competitor's product down, while at the same time keeping yours scarce by keepin the price high and linking it to good old fashioned class based cultural capital. More than anything else private schools trade on the public assumption that they have something that other schools (read: public schools) don't. Why else would people try and buy whatever elusive quality it is that private schools market?

When everyone went and bought an ipod, they were just normal, and no one cared anymore.

These pearls of wisdom from Minister Julie Bishop ...

The Federal Minister for Education, Julie Bishop, said the Federal Government did not set or limit fees for private schools.

Parents should choose schools that were affordable and best met the educational needs of their children, she said.

"Non-government schools are independent organisations, and their governing bodies are responsible for setting fees," she said. "Parents should raise any concerns about fees with the relevant school.""Parents should choose schools that were affordable and best met the educational needs of their children, she said."

Ah, that's the answer. Just CHOOSE where you want to go. Just CHOOSE what type of school best suits the 'educational needs' of your children. Apparently, Minister Bishop will pay for it.