Virtue By Force No Virtue At All
“The Character Education Programme of New Zealand (CEPNZ) sounds like a good initiative but its promoters must remain
mindful of their own responsibilities in taking on such a task.”
This from Peter Osborne, Libertarianz Spokesman For Education Deregulation, in response to a press release issued
promoting the programme. Mr Osborne clarifies.
“Firstly the CEPNZ’s promoters say that they approached the Ministry of Education on numerous occasions to find ways to
install character education in all schools. They also used four catch phrases to describe their principles, these being:
honesty, responsibility, integrity and respect. The promoters themselves seem to be very selective about adhering to
these principles, however.” “Why have the CEPNZ promoters been lobbying the Ministry of Education to push their ideas?”
he asked.
“After all, the Ministry only operates by force. Their very survival is due to an extortion racket commonly known as
tax. Whether parents like it or not their children are forced to attend school under threat of imprisonment. It is
hypocritical, to say the least, that a group who wish to promote high moral standards in society would side with such
moral bankrupts as the government. How can they hope to succeed in teaching morals when extortion is the method of
delivery?”
Osborne continues, “If the CEPNZ promoters wish to promote their virtues they must lead by example and behave as if they
truly believe in their convictions. This can only be done by reason and persuasion. They seem to have gained a bit of
success by this method with many schools choosing to follow their recommendations. But they must stop asking the
government to force it upon New Zealand children.”
Mr Osborne concludes, “Libertarianz understand that a State that controls education will always see a continuous
decrease in standards, both morally and intellectually. The New Zealand model is no exception. While the CEPNZ promoters
try to patch over this problem, they will be a losing battle. The cause must be well and truly dealt with - the State
must be excluded from education altogether. Anyone who wishes to encourage their children to think for themselves and to
formulate their own moral standards must work towards this goal. The problem will not improve until this is achieved.”
Libertarianz: More Freedom – Less Government