{"product_id":"2026200017531-secondhand-the-cost-of-free-education","title":"The Cost Of Free Education","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition remarks:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook: Good\u003cbr\u003eJacket: No dust jacket\u003cbr\u003ePages: Good\u003cbr\u003eCondition remarks: Condition as shown in image\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat happens when the promise of free education meets the hard reality of its hidden costs? The Cost of Free Education presents a rigorous and thought-provoking examination of the economic and social mechanisms that underpin publicly funded schooling, arguing that no education system is truly free — and that the financial burdens shifted onto families, communities, and taxpayers are far greater than governments care to admit. With meticulous detail, the authors chronicle the gap between political rhetoric and fiscal reality, unpacking the true price paid by society for a system marketed as universal and equitable.\n\nJudith O'Neill and Janet Paterson bring a sharp analytical lens to the intersection of education policy and economics, producing a work that is as timely as it is incisive. Their collaborative voice is authoritative yet accessible, drawing on research and real-world examples to illustrate structural inequalities embedded within so-called free systems. The central question the authors pose — who truly pays, and who truly benefits — lingers long after the final page, making this an essential read for anyone invested in the future of public education.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49216207192283,"sku":"2026200017531-SECONDHAND","price":10.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/c022106b-8570-442f-bb4d-602d57e31a90.png?v=1788405339","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/2026200017531-secondhand-the-cost-of-free-education","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}