Non-Governemnt schools free-for-all!

By
Peter Curtis
Published: 22 January, 2010Posted in: Featured, Opinion
Non-Governemnt schools free-for-all!

I  sent this letter to the Age 20/01/10

Stephen Elder’s ‘Fair access for all’ 20/01/10. Who is disingenuous? A church that doesn’t pay tax, and behaves selfishly toward its own flock, also wants the public’s taxpayers to pay more to foot ‘their’ bill. He omits that catholic school system looks after ‘their’ very wealthy at the expense of ‘their’ neediest. There is no equity in the Catholic hierarchy. I say, if he is so concerned about fair access, they could rob Xavier to pay for Paul in Sunshine.

Fair access for all

IT IS disappointing to see those who should be leaders in education propagating misleading figures – ”Private schools getting ‘too much money”’ (The Age, 18/1). We agree with Education Minister Julia Gillard – the Australian Education Union’s comparison is disingenuous.
Catholic schools educate almost a quarter of Victorian students on less money per student than government schools. Government (state and federal) contributes only 75 per cent to this cost and parents pay the rest. Catholic schools serve some of the neediest students who deserve fair access to government funding. Governments have recognised that parents have the right to choose a non-government education for their child. As a society, we need to ensure that every child has access to the resources for a great education.
Stephen Elder, director, Catholic Education Office Melbourne, East Melbourne

PARENTS AND TEACHERS  UNITED

Help build a Campaign for the equitable provision of resources to students in the public education system.

BOYCOTT NAPLAN TESTING & OPPOSE THE GOVERNMENT MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

http://www.forourfuture.org.au/

Teachers, parents and citizens who care about education are opposing standardised testing and the Federal and State Government’s support of school league tables.

Go to: http://www.soscanberra.com/

About the Author

peter curtis Peter Curtis is a supporter of Teachers Alliance because it is fundamental that we are our own active democratic and critical voice. Good teachers understand that we are key to creating a public education system that is truly responsive to children's needs.The union can only be strengthened by classroom teachers being active in their schools. Our rights, and children's rights, can only be realised and defended by our conscious activity.He promotes the democratic classroom as a Community of Inquirers, encouraging children to pose their own questions, and seek answers that make sense of their world in collaboration with peers and teachers.His key mentors are Paulo Freire, Ivan Illich, and John Dewey, and teachers and educators who collaborate to improve their pedagogy.