Parents across Sydney, New South Wales are increasingly opting to send their children to the state’s independent schools, with student enrolments in public schools plunging to its lowest level in 15 years.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, official data released on Wednesday showed that 63.7 percent of NSW students attended public schools in 2022 – a fall from 65.5 percent five years ago. The proportion of students in independent schools has surged to 15.1 percent, up from 13.3 percent in 2017.
Experts suggest these figures could be tied to families flocking to new housing developments on the city’s fringe, as well as the marketing techniques of private schools.
Nikki Kapsanis, who lives in Earlwood, told The Sydney Morning Herald her reasons why she chose Rosebank College for her children, Jonas and Alexis. The Five Dock private school charges $11,400 for Year 12.
“The kids went to our local public primary school but for high school we wanted a private education. As children get older and they become teenagers, they need discipline,” Kapsanis told the media outlet.
The Principal at Rosebank College, Iris Nastasi, said the school was accepting applications for 2028 because there has been “no slowing down in enrolments.”
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.
