This is my latest article in Evangelicals Now
Christian schools boom in Australia
One of the big differences between the UK and Australia is the number of Christian and independent schools.
Recently the Australian Broadcasting Corporation carried a report about the number of pupils attending independent schools rising to 40%. Interestingly, they assumed that this should be seen as a negative development. Over the last decade there were 320 new Catholic and independent schools, and only 279 new Government schools. 34% of pupils now attend schools with a particular religious emphasis. There are over 50 Muslim schools with 40,000 pupils. There are 820,000 pupils in Catholic schools, and 715,000 in independent schools (over 80% Christian). The number in state schools is 2,619,000.
So why should this be seen as a negative development? Julian Hill, the Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, suggested one main problem – that children may not mix outside their own faith or ethnic group – and that some (especially home schoolers) would be taught “extreme or conservative” curricula. He asked in a recent speech: “What is being taught to these kids? Are they mixing with broader society?”
This is an excellent question – but it has wider implications than Mr Hill seems to imply. It is not just religious or independent schools where there is a danger of ghettoisation or the lack of exposure to different points of view. The same applies to the State schools – where the doctrines of Green progressivism are taught as though they are scripture. Mr Hill seemed unaware of the “extremes of progressive” curricula. Sadly, like many Western education systems which have lost their Christian foundation, the Australian state education system has moved from the position of teaching children “how” to think, to teaching them “what” to think. Indoctrination into the doctrines of the elite is now the de facto norm. Which is why so many parents are prepared to sacrifice other parts of their lifestyle in order to provide an education which is more in accord with their own worldview.
The Minister suggested that Australia might like to look to Singapore where a “co-curricular” activities system seeks to bring students from diverse backgrounds together. Personally, I think this is an excellent idea – I have no qualms at all about Christian pupils meeting with people of different faiths. And I delight at the prospect of children from fundamentally progressive schools having to face the possibility that there is genuine life outside their own educational bubble. Whether the teachers’ unions or politicians will ever permit such diversity is another matter all together!
David Robertson, is the minster of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church, Newcastle NSW and blogs at http://www.theweeflea.com
Letters to a Post-Christian Nation 6 – Education. New Life