From The Sydney Morning Herald
Keep your politics out of our classrooms, Mr Nile
By Charlie Fine
August 1, 2011
Opinion - An 11-year-old explains why he wants ethics classes to stay
Charlie Fine ... wants Fred Nile to reconsider.
I was sitting in ethics class the other day and we were discussing children's rights. There were many scenarios such as "Should children be allowed to drive cars?" and "Should children be able to fight for their country?"
My friend Edwin was discussing if children should be allowed to vote. One of the potential problems that we discussed was whether parents might tell their children how to vote and not let them decide for themselves.
But then again if children could go to the polls then perhaps Fred Nile, the leader of the Christian Democratic Party in NSW, wouldn't have the power that he has today.
Mr Nile is attempting to abolish ethics classes in school, so that all schoolchildren learn what he believes in, which goes against the wishes of many Australian parents.
Before ethics classes I studied Buddhism, which I found very stimulating. And before that because there was no alternative to scripture, many of my friends (myself included) were forced to spend many hours watching Lilo & Stitch on an old TV they had dug out of the janitor's cupboard.
Full article: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/keep-your-politics-out-of-our-classrooms-mr-nile-20110801-1i77c.html
