Wed, 15 Sep 2004
You want Education? Then Damn Well Seize It.
"PPTA president, Phil Smith seems to lack the ability to understand the underlying cause of many problems facing the
education sector," says Libertarianz Spokesman For Education Deregulation Peter Osborne.
In the present scenario Mr Smith begrudges the lack of government funding for schools to maintain their current
educational standards. "This is one of many issues that have plagued the education system for over a century and the
story remains the same today." Osborne asks, "Why is it that common belief would expect things to improve with further
funding when history has consistently shown otherwise?"
Mr Smith is also calling for the Ministry of Education to undertake an independent investigation into the true funding
needs of schools. "Hardly independent then is it!" says Osborne, "Does Mr Smith expect a favourable outcome as a result
of this investigation?"
Mr Osborne cuts to the chase, "Wake up New Zealand. Nothing will improve until New Zealand parents take responsibility
for their own offspring instead of allowing one politician and an army of bureaucrats to decide what is learning and
what is not. How can parents expect their children to be taught in a one-size-fits-all State-run education system where
competent teachers have no more recognition than do their incompetent colleagues? This is why we have such a large
proportion of teenagers leaving school who lack the personal resourcefulness to find their own way in this world. We
then wonder why we have such high youth suicide and violent crime rates."
He continues, "This is apathy in its worst form. While the State uses compulsion to achieve its own ends, parents seem
only too willing to hand their children over, and teachers seem content to peddle whatever clap-trap the Ministry of
Education directs them to."
Mr Osborne concludes, "Since the state won't be releasing its grip any time soon, if they wish things to change then
parents and teachers must seize full control of their responsibilities. If parents want choice they will only find it in
a competitive free market.
If teachers want real recognition of their skills and if they wish to teach what they know to be fact, then they will
have that opportunity only in a competitive free market. Quangos like the PPTA can make their recommendations but in a
free society no one would be forced to either adhere to or pay for their wish-list. Other than Libertarianz, there is
not a single political party who would willingly allow people to live freely. Only when the removal of the State from
education is achieved will people start to understand what a farce we have been forced to follow all these years. What a
waste"
Libertarianz: More Freedom - Less Government
ENDS