Social Class in Education

Australia has suffered a large gap in education due to socio-economic class. Generations ago, social class was a major part of society that separated the different classes especially in education. The wealthy attended school and only a percentage of the poor received little education as most left school to help provide for the family. These days, although the Australian government is funding schools giving the opportunity of an education to all families regardless of their class, social class is still an intimidating debate among society. So, the question is does social class still have an impact on Australian education? This essay will discuss reasons, through field research and studies, as to why various social classes are still apparent in today’s education.

My argument will be that although society has come a long way, socio-economic status still remains. The best explanation, I believe, is to be found in today’s private and public school education.

Australian education and socio-economic status are intricately linked, as education is the basis of income however determined by income. Australian schools are classified according to its source of structure and funding. Firstly, there are Public schools or Government/State schools. These types of schools are run by the selective states government, and may offer free education although most inquire a voluntary fee. Secondly, there are Private schools, run independently and charge high tuition fees from each attending student. Due to this higher fee, many of these schools are capable of affording facilities and luxuries that Public schools cannot afford. The two photographs of Moreton Bay College that has had the privilege of selecting only female students since 1901, illustrates this point of the facilities private schools can afford. This is were social class comes in to place as families from a higher class have the money and therefore choices of where to send there child to schools are more accessible. Not