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In this month’s edition of its members’ magazine Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) printed the list which names 21 organisations that registered interest in charter schools – almost half of them religious groups.
The PPTA’s list includes a Feilding Church, The Sabbath Rest Adventist Church. Trustee Jill Friar says the church had been interested in the options presented by charter schools but had decided not to make an application this year while charter schools legislation remained before Parliament.
Asked if she thought taxpayer money should be allocated to schools teaching creationism, Mrs Friar responded it was tantamount to funding secular schools to teach evolution.
“Look at the state school system – they teach evolution as if it’s a fact and it’s not a fact. Even scientists say it’s a theory, so what’s the difference at the end of the day? Why should we teach evolution as if it were a fact when there is a theory that is an alternative?” Mrs Friar said.
“It’s education and caring for children that is important – to me that’s what the argument should be all about.”
PPTA president Angela Roberts said taxpayer cash should not go to schools teaching creationism.
“They have the right to teach that in their school, of course, but they have no right to do that with money for the public education system.”
The Education Amendment Bill passed its second reading in Parliament last week, paving the way for the controversial schools to open in 2014.
Next year the Government will spend $19 million on establishing the first charter schools.
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