Premier should be ethical: Longstaff
Support: Stanwell Park Public School ethics coordinator Laura Stekovic.
THE executive director of the St James Ethics Centre, Dr Simon Longstaff, has called on Premier Barry O’Farrell to keep his promise to NSW voters and retain ethics classes as a complement to Scripture in NSW public schools.
“The Premier promised voters his government would retain the option of ethics classes during Scripture time,” Dr Longstaff said. "If Mr O’Farrell caves into Mr Nile’s demands, he will invite a backlash from all those who care more for children than politics.
“There is a legitimate expectation from parents that Mr O’Farrell will do what is right for the children of NSW, not what is politically convenient for his government. We know that the Premier has to negotiate with Reverend Nile – but there are some things that should never be traded; most particularly the interests of children.
“Backing down to the minority voice of Fred Nile will anger the parents of the 2700 children now involved in 180 ethics classes at 128 primary schools across the state – and people of goodwill across the State."
Laura Stekovic, the ethics coordinator at Stanwell Park Public School, said ethics classes for Years 5 and 6 children had been running since the start of Term 2 and the 10 participating students were enjoying the experience. “The introduction of classes has the support of the P&C and the wider school community, not just the parents of those attending,” Ms Stekovic said.
“Mr Nile’s horsetrading will deliver bad outcomes for our community and is at odds with a broad range of religious groups that back ethics classes in schools."
The majority of ethics students had not been attending Scripture, she said.
Dr Longstaff said the Catholic and Anglican churches supported ethics classes, "showing great generosity of spirit after it became clear that students were not deserting Scripture to study ethics".
“The ethics course has strong support from families across NSW and was implemented after a broad-based community campaign," he said. “It is wrong to rob children of the opportunity to explore ethical issues in an open and nurturing environment.
“Premier O’Farrell should provide a lesson in ethics and reject the proposition that 'might is right and that the ends justify the means.”
For further information, contact Dr Longstaff 0418 410 187 or Teresa Russell 0400 002 349 or, for specific information about the Ethics program at Stanwell Park Public School, contact Laura Stekovic on 0447 198 835.
