Private school integration

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33918, 11 August 1975, Page 14

Private school integration

Sir, — Your correspondent, W. J. A. Brittenden, says that Mr Peck (Student Teachers’ Association of New Zealand) and myself (New Zealand University Students’ Association) were being naive in our statement on compulsory integration of private schools and that we do not realise the cost of

this move. The Private < , Schools Bill has been lauded I by the Government as a progressive move — yet private I , schools have a choice < whether they integrate, and even those that do opt for i integration will retain relit gious preference in selection [ of pupils. Unless all private schools are integrated into ' the State system, we will re- ' tain a system whereby those who can afford to pay will ■ have more choices — , choices financed by State ’ aid. This is the point which ‘ the S.T.A.N.Z. and the ! N.Z.U.S.A. wish to empha- • sise. For a potentially high cost this bill will achieve . little. We take the point i Brittenden makes on the : cost of compulsory in- ' tegration, but see a need for an all-or-nothing step. — 1 Yours, etc., ! SUE GREEN. Education Vice President, < N.Z.U.S.A. ; August 7, 1975.