By Rod Benson
With the federal election behind us, it’s time to focus on public issues closer to home. Two issues that will exercise the hearts and minds of NSW citizens in the next few weeks are the matter of adoption by same sex couples (I’ll have more to say about that next week), and the proposed ethics classes in state schools – both issues championed by Premier Keneally but dividing the community.
An independent evaluation of the trial ethics program is now underway, but I can’t see it being anything more than a rubber stamp for the Keneally government and the powerful P & C Federation which is allegedly using ethics classes to undermine Special religious Education in our schools.
I have nothing against a well-designed and well-resourced ethics program, but it should be taught by trained teachers to all students, and it should not suppress the rich tradition of religious ethics.
Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 22 August 2010.
Image: http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201005/r574987_3576205.jpg
