Arbiter Azariah
Omega Weapon
Reg: 12-2004
Loc: Between madness and insanity.
Posts: 954
Greatness: 92 (+108/-16)
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Re: Private and Parochial Schools.
Currently, private Australian schools receive funding from the state and federal governments. Not all of their funding is supplied by them though, of course. But it wasn't always that way. on the turn of the 20th century, public funding to private schools was repealed over religious concerns.
Most Catholic schools had to make do with what they had. The schools were poor, as were most of the families that sent children to them. They relied heavily on the work of non-paid people in Catholic religious orders.
However, almost exactly 45 years ago, the government threatened to close down a Catholic primary school in Goulburn, NSW if it did not install more toilets. The school didn't have a dollar to spare due to a lack of funding. The local Bishop, along with the people of Goulburn had enough. They forged a plan in which all Catholic schools in Goulburn were simultaneously closed down on the Friday. On the Monday, all of the children were to registered for public schooling. Come Monday, over 1,000 children flooded the public system, which could only take less than half of them.
The Goulburn Strike lasted only a week, but the point was made. Within the decade, State Aid was given to private schools. This was encouraged by Prime Minister Whitlam (who for the record, was a firmly left-wing agnostic).
History aside, the fact of the matter is that it would be foolish not to provide aid to private schools here. The Roman Catholic system alone provides the schools needs for 18% of our population. Other religious and independent schools provide a further 14%. They're providing an essential service to the children and adolescents of the country; why should they not receive at least some State Aid?
Furthermore, the private system is highly regulated. To receive funding, Catholic schools adhere to the curriculum requirements of the state's Curriculum Council, and can have its funding yanked if they don't meet requirements and achieve results. Along with adhering to state demands, Catholic schools also take orders from the state's Catholic Education Office, a highly professional and regulated body that keeps the schools in line.
If you went through my post thinking "tl;dr," (which I hope you didn't! xD) basically I'm saying that independent schools provide an essential service, are usually highly regulated, and should not be denied State Aid.
P.S.: In the interests of full disclosure, I'm currently in the process of studying education, in the hope of gaining qualifications to teach various subjects in the Catholic system. Might as well shed sunlight on my biases. =P
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Prima: "If we waste any more time on 'weeaboo', we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!"
Secunda: "Did someone just say 'weeaboo?' Because I heard someone say 'weeaboo'."
Persons 2-10: "Wee-a-boo! Wee-a-boo!"
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6/Jul/07, 3:47 am
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Arbiter Azariah
Omega Weapon
Reg: 12-2004
Loc: Between madness and insanity.
Posts: 954
Greatness: 92 (+108/-16)
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Re: Private and Parochial Schools.
I quite like the idea of regulation, too. Catholic Education values academics, and it only makes sense that they fall in line with the guidelines of the Department of Education and Training. All Catholic schoolteachers are accredited to teach, and teach in accordance to subject guidelines laid out by the Curriculum Council. We also teach subjects assessable for Tertiary entrance.
In regards to your questions, Catholic schools have both RE programs and a few mandatory Masses each year. (Non-compulsory Masses were offered every Wednesday morning before school at my high school.) I remind you once more that not all funding from Catholic schools is provided by the state. A significant chunk comes from private means, in particular the funds the Catholic Archdiocese lays out for these schools.
Religious Educations courses are treated seriously, with their content regulated by the Catholic Education Office. The content is regulated and funded by the Diocese, with religious instruction catered to the ages of the children. For example, year one students may learn about making good and bad choices, whereas a Year 10 deals with more complex moral dilemmas and the theology behind them.
For those harbouring fears over the government capitulating to one religion or sect, bear in mind that the Anglican and Uniting Churches also have a reasonably strong presence in education, and also receive funding. As do the (admittedly fewer) Islamic, Jewish, non-Abrahamistic and non-denominational private schools. Catholic schools seem more dominant simply because they are; they've been focused on education in Australia for over a century.
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Prima: "If we waste any more time on 'weeaboo', we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!"
Secunda: "Did someone just say 'weeaboo?' Because I heard someone say 'weeaboo'."
Persons 2-10: "Wee-a-boo! Wee-a-boo!"
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6/Jul/07, 4:18 am
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