Ministry of Education figures released under the Official Information Act show Prime Minister John Key has pumped money hand over fist into the elite private school attended by his son.

While the government pleads tough economic times whenever public schools call for more funding its subsidies for Kings College increased by an eye-watering 40% ($1,663,585 to $2,325,587) from 2009 to 2011.

It’s the same story for other private schools – schools of choice for National/Act cabinet ministers.

Here are a few of these schools showing their subsidies rocketing while public schools struggle.

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2009 2010 2011

Kings College 1,663,585 2,152,669 2,325,587

St Cuthbert’s 2,027,070 2,553,203 2,836,908

Kristin School 2,222,284 2,734,602 2,912,394

AGC Parnell 789,880 1,206,459 1,426,547

Diocesan School 2,057,681 2,740,298 2,940,455

Scot’s College 1,072,920 1,378,084 1,509,437

Christ’s College 1,172,637 1,461,804 1,633,170

Rangi Ruru 1,160,013 1,446,897 1,580,950

These private schools get funding despite the fact they are not an option open to most New Zealand children. They pick and choose who they want and charge massive fees –another barrier to keep the riff-raff out – on top of their skyrocketing government subsidies.

There’s not even any pretence at a choice-based freemarket with these schools. The enrolment choice is made by the school – not the parents or students.

John Key and other parents apply for enrolment at schools like Kings because they know they will get a socially-cleansed environment where their sons and daughters can escape the social problems caused by government policies.

It’s classic private sector parasitism on the state. In fact the only thing you can be sure of with most private sector groups is that they always have their hands out for state subsidies.

We shouldn’t be surprised. In every area of the economy the government’s priority is to shift the tax burden onto those on the lowest incomes while increasing state subsidies for all manner of private sector activity.

Just think what our public schools in low income communities could do with extra cash on this scale Instead or funding the educationally needy the government is funding the wealthy greedy.

And just a few days ago Education Minister Hekia Parata revealed the government was “actively considering” increasing these private sector subsidies even further in this year’s budget.

Does it get any more rich than this? The greedy bastards.