📑 Marten Koomen on State Schools and Supplies

I’m neither shocked by developments in DET (Victoria) or by Milligan’s dumbfounded reaction, but both are unfortunate. 1/

Since the late 1980s, and particularly through the Kennett years, management of schools has devolved and decentralised. This has been consistent with community expectations. There is no central standard issue toilet paper or hand sanitiser. Schools have funds to manage this. 2/
The current model of school management (broadly described as neoliberal) has many issues. Nevertheless ABC journalism has supported this model through programs such as “Revolution School” and the 4 corners “Digi Kids”, which I described as a puff piece and I stand by this. 3/
There is consistent evidence that this model of system management has failed (IBAC Dunham and Ord, PISA NAPLAN results etc). I have seen no journalist engage with these bigger issues. It’s mainly superficial reporting of facts with emotive interpretation. /4