Footloose, 2009 Style

[evilkate]

Okay, this is a perfect example of why I despise the notion of "Private" Education - not the British backwards version, but the non-state run version that is widespread in the US (and much of Oz) and is ever increasing it's coverage as the middle classes expand in such modern economies.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25459789-5001021,00.html

So this school can apparently enforce itself on the actions of a pupil who is outside of its direct sphere of influence?! How very concerning. Or is that just me? - am I somehow being bigoted or too harsh? After all, the school did get the pupil to sign a binding pledge on entry. I assume they also gained similar assurances from the parents.

But the issue I have is simple - education should be open to all and an institution should not have the right to act beyond its essential sphere of influence - that being education and the duty of care it has during such. After all, in many parts of the US, there aren't a wide range of schools to choose from. Many small towns have one - and it is often private, so what would happen in such circumstances? Furthermore, many areas are homogeneous in their beliefs and attitudes - so does that mean anyone dissenting (in their PRIVATE life) should be denied?

It's a question of access and as private schools continue to spread - the options will be limited. This is associated with the ongoing debates regarding creationism vs evolution in such schools. Curriculum should be centrally established by neutral agencies and so to should the rules regarding what a student can, or cannot, do on their private time.

Egads people. I can't believe such nonsense is still flourishing in this day. What social progress?! :)

I'd probably be much more ranty, if I wasn't laughing in quiet disbelief. I am truly staggered.

Kate Out

Comments

[nerwengreen.livejournal.com]

I don't know how it works in Oz, but over here we have a public education system. (Not a very good one, maybe, but it does exist.) The county is required to provide access to schools, even to the smallest towns - though in practice that can take the form of long-distance bussing.

As for the private school, well, I guess the question is whether the student and/or parent/guardians signed anything when they signed up to the school, saying that they agreed to the rules. Private schools (and private institutions in general) can pretty much do whatever they'd like - and others are free to not associate with them if they don't like what they're doing. Because freedom is for everyone, even the people you disagree with. ;)

[evilfemme001.livejournal.com]

I was questioning, aka disagreeing with, not denying them the right to impose 'school rules' - but my real issue is whether they should be able to extend such impositions beyond the 'basic sphere of influence.'

If a school can tell a student what they should do, in their private time, re going to a dance ... then where does it end? Surely there should be a limit somewhere?

That's all I was saying :P

[nerwengreen.livejournal.com]

Some churches do that already, don't they?

[cathiis.livejournal.com]

Private schools expel students all the time for not following the rules, both in and out of school, and that is in good old Perth Western Australia. Basically you break the rules, no matter how crazy they are, you are out on your ear.

Like all privately run businesses, they get a choice in who they accept as a client. In my business I wouldn't accept someone such as (I did include a name here but for legal reasons I might just ask you to insert a name here from 95% of the AFL's players roster) because of their attitudes on alternative sexualities / non binary genders. That is my right as a business operator.

I agree with you, it is truly pathetic that some religions seek to deny an individual the experience of 'normal' life, but that's just life in the good ole' Christian Fundamentalist United States of America Denial.

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