Education Report Findings On State Aid Criticised

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 16

Education Report Findings On State Aid Criticised

ineu) zealana Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 14. The Education Commission had failed to provide an objective analysis of State aid to private schools, said a statement for the Catholic Education Council for New Zealand, released in Dunedin today.

“The commission has either misinterpreted or not understood the ease presented by the council,” said the statement. “The report states that our case rested on ‘doctrinal grounds' and a concept of distributive justice.” But it was not surprising that no change was recommended in the status quo, since the commission comprised persons with an active and long-standing association with the State school system. The statement continued: — “The section of the report concerning financial assistance to private schools has many unsatisfactory features, and we draw attention more particularly to the following: “(1) The commission confuses social unity with educational conformity. “(2) Over-emphasises the possibility of social divisions without giving any real consideration to the

possible social benefits of educational diversity. "(3) Is unreasonably concerned. in tlie light of the evidence before it, at the possible detriment to the State system through an increase in the number of private schools. “(4) Wrongly equates the necessary neutrality of the State towards the churches. With State support exclusively for a secular system of education. “(5) Treats of our argument from democratic principles, but misrepresents it as being based on doctrinal grounds.’ ”'6> Ignores our particular submission that the Government should recognise that all sections of the community are entitled to equal treatment under the law

“(7) Quotes only that part of Article 26 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights referring to the prior right of parents to choose their child’s kind of education, but it omita any consideration of the complementary and equally important part of the article to the effect that at least the elementary education of the child should be free. "(8) Presumes our arguments were a claim for denominational support whereas they were a claim for the equitable treatment of citizens and their children.

"The fact that the commission recommends that no change be made at present does not close the question. There is a developing awareness of the problem. This can be seen in the submission to the commission by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and. more recently, in the statement issued by the Anglican Public and Social Affairs Committee, both of which affirmed the principle of direct financial assistance being provided for those citizens who have their children educated outside the State school rys’em. "The issue rests squarely with Parliament.” said the statement