Professors object to remarks

Press, 1 May 1984, Page 24

Professors object to remarks

Professors of sociology at five New Zealand universities have objected to recent remarks by the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington.

In a radio interview earlier this month, Mr Wellington was reported to have said that the present social studies curriculum for Forms 1 to 4 suffered a “sociological bias,” and it should return to the basics of geography and history. In a letter to the Minister, signed by all seven of New Zealand’s professors of sociology, they asked him to

clarify his remark. They expressed their concern about the comment, which was “most unfortunate, both in its general intellectual tenor and in its implications for sociology.” Sociology had been a recognised discipline in universities for many years and like all sciences, it involved a critical examination of reality. A philosophy of education that aimed to discourage critical thought was adverse to the liberal-democratic values of New Zealand society, the professors said.