Your call for the debate on schools to be widened (Canberra Times Editorial, June 19) is welcome. The current shape of the debate is a direct result of the methods the Government have chosen to pursue “reform”. Parents and concerned citizens have no other outlet but “special pleading”, this role has been forced on them. Parents who have chosen their local school have, by definition, had this choice taken from them. Who wouldn’t be angry under the same circumstances? This whole mess should be scrapped and a real consultation process enacted, as soon as possible.
Do not mistake the current muscular political posturing for good policy. The proposed changes are riddled with inconsistencies and have been very poorly explained. Large schools are the ideal now, it seems, with little justification. This is at odds with programs in the US where they are spending large amounts with the specific aim of smaller schools. Who is right? Who knows? But we are to supposed to rely on paternalistic assertions from the Minister? Forgive me, I’m feeling cynical. The ideal of neighbourhood schools, for some areas at least, has simply been discarded. It lies, forlorn, in a puddle of bathwater no doubt.
Update: Published in the Canberra Times, 24th June.
