Socialist Party member and school student Jared Goodwin recently had this letter published in the Age newspaper in Melbourne. It was written in response to the news that the Victorian Education Department is exploring public-private partnerships in order to provide funding for secondary schools.As a student just starting year 12, what can I expect to see on my timetable? Mathematics in the National Australia Bank room? English in the Borders books room? Science in the Shell oil room? IT in the Microsoft room?

And while I am working away at the toughest school year of my life, McDonald’s can be doing a class survey on what type of sauce we like on our burgers - in return for giving the school free lunches every day.

Nike can be asking us what style of runners we like, as they provide us with physical education gear.

Thankfully, I won’t be experiencing any of this. But I am concerned it’s a possibility in the future for many younger students at school.

If the government represents the people, then government schools should represent the values of the people, not just a select few capitalists who see only dollar signs when they look at schools. Big companies have no interest in providing a better education for students; their only business is to make money.

Yes, schools may get new buildings, but at what expense? A generation of children brainwashed into consuming the school sponsors’ products?

JARED GOODWIN, Sandringham

To read this letter on line click here