AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS - D.O.G.S.

PRESS RELEASE 32#.

ON  PUBLIC   EDUCATION  DAY  MARCH  15,  2001

The success of many activities has depended upon the alliance between at least one Director General, principals, teachers and parents and citizens.

In Victoria Minister Mary Delahunty crossed swords with Dr. Kemp. The latter pleaded ignorance of his figures on wealthy private school funding. He appealed for sympathy because he had just got off the plane and said he needed time to look at the figures quoted! We hope that he has sympathy for children in impoverished public schools.

In Western Australia we note that MPs have been requested to contribute a $100 donation to the Public Education Campaign.

In South Australia their bright pamphlet gave funding figures and the following inspiring statement:

THE THREAT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION:

Our Public education system is considered one of the best in the world. it caters for the individual needs of students while at the same time promoting the need for cooperation and a sense of community. It provides all students with the basic skills for every day life yet also offers the enrichment of a broad curriculum. The public education system caters for all regardless of income, gender, cultural background, disability or geographical location. Public education benefits our whole society not just a lucky few.

The Howard government, however, obviously does not believe in the importance of public education. It has diverted much needed funds from government schools to private schools.

THIS POLICY IS UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWING GAP BETWEEN THE 'HAVES' AND 'HAVE NOTS' IN AUSTRALIA SOCIETY."

DOGS remind readers that the great issues surrounding Public School education are really great issues of public policy. The role of education is so central to the making of a free, liberal, democratic government that education is the most important business in civil society and universal accessibility to education is fundamental to success in this endeavour.

The Public School and education system are inextricably bound up with the modern "liberal" state and swith a modern "liberal" political philosophy that tries to achieve "liberal" values of liberty, equality, justice, fraternity, popular consent, and obligation for the public good and the general welfare.

Public School education stands for and assists in achieving a viable and just community. Public School education is needed for us to continue to have a viable, democratic, heterogeneous community. Let no one doubt that if there is to be a twilight of the "liberal" Public school and education system that twilight will also be the twilight of the modern "liberal" democratic State whose values are freedom, equality, justice, fraternity, the working of popular consent and the personal obligation for the public good.

Not surprisingly, in Victoria, the mainstream Press which derives considerable income from private school advertising gave the National Public Education Day minimal coverage. What's new?

WHO NEEDS THE PACKER AND FAIRFAX PRESS WHEN WE HAVE THE DOGS PROGRAM ON 3CR?