- The Australian Family Party is committed to choice in education and to supporting legislation that provides an equitable distribution of funding to both public and private schools.
- We recognise, respect and affirm the right of parents to choose a school for their children in which values that align with their own are affirmed and promoted.
- We recognize, respect and affirm that some families may wish to home-school their children, and should be able to do so without Government criticism or intervention.
- Wherever possible, The Australian Family Party supports the creation of community-based schools or transfer of public schools into community ownership, so as to minimize state interference in the operation of schools.
- It is harmful for the government to demand that every child remain in school until they finish year 12. It is also foolish to keep some children at school when they clearly are not enjoying it. Young people should have the option to enter the workforce and pursue their dreams. The world rewards skills, not education. Young people should be allowed to develop the skills they want for their career.
- We support giving local school autonomy: giving school principals and school councils freedom to appoint staff and make decisions around school development projects. The 2011 “Building the Education Revolution” (BER) is a case in point where centralised bureaucracies delivered appalling value for money, whereas projects managed locally delivered good outcomes.)
- The Australian Family Party supports all forms of education that encourage innovation, technology adoption, entrepreneurship and exploring the sciences and productive arts. Australia’s future depends on continuing innovation and growth of the knowledge economy.
Further Reading
Children in the Crosshairs
[Bill Muehlenberg (CultureWatch blogsite), reproduced with permission]
Christianity has role in learning
[David Daintree, reproduced with permission]