September 2007
The letter by former SCDSB Chair Lynda Murtha (Public cash, public schools, August 17) presents a very slanted view of the Ontario Conservatives’ proposal to fund private religious schools. Nowhere in her letter does she mention that this funding will be subject to private schools accepting the Ontario school curriculum, adhering to the Ontario standardized testing program and having fully accredited teachers. Nowhere in her letter does she mention the shortcomings of the public school system, which have certainly not been helped by the McGinty Liberals. Nowhere in her letter does she mention the Ontario Conservative’s plan to invest an additional $800 million in public education in addition to the private school funding. Sure we don’t have the strikes of the 1990s, but do we have a better education system today? I don’t think so.
Dalton McGinty’s assertion that funding private religious schools will lead to social unrest is ludicrous. Faith based private schools already exist, yet we don’t have anarchy in the streets. However there is no way to ensure proper standards are met unless they are brought under the control of the Ontario Ministry of Education.
A precedent has already been set with full funding to the Catholic system. Is it truly equitable to deny funding to other religions? It’s perfectly clear that Dalton McGinty’s plan to maintain the status quo is not the answer. Would this even be an issue for the Liberals if the Conservatives hadn’t raised the issue of private school funding? Isn’t it supposed to be about giving our children the best possible education, no matter what school board they attend?
