Throughout this entry I will be focusing on the issue surrounding New South Whales private schools’ ability to expel students due to their sexuality. This issue is exceptionally current, as articles surrounding attempts to abolish this power have been released as recently as August 2013. This particular affair is currently being scrutinized by the New South Whales independent member of Parliament, Alex Greenwich who believes that school students should not have no experience harassment or bullying.
“Under the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, it is unlawful for public schools and educational institutions to discriminate against or expel students on the basis of homosexuality, transgender status and other traits, but private schools and colleges are explicitly exempt from these provisions”. This excerpt from an article in the Sydney Morning Herald was published on the 28th of August, 2013. This statement and the article overall, ultimately reflect the issue and its current surfacing throughout the New South Whales education system. Alex Greenwich spoke out about the issue stating ''A school that can by law discriminate is less likely to have processes in place to deal with this type of bullying if it is reported.”. The recentness of the issue throughout the media is due to the MP’s decision to introduce the private members bill to Parliament in order to detach the exemptions.
In short the ultimate issue that is being examined through this particular matter, is the overall understandings of homosexuality throughout private schools. This idea is examined through the principle of Hillcrest Christian Collegein Berwick, Victoria and his response to allegations made by a homosexual student that had attended the school. The allegations surrounded the idea that the students reasons behind leaving the school were to do with the principles reaction of discriminative behavior against the particular student, as a response to his open homosexual status (Wilkinson, Denniss & Macintosh. 2004). The following is a quote from the principle on the matter
We (the school) state that we will actively share with them (students) the Christian faith. They (parents) sign on the dotted line. We don’t apologise for that... We don’t talk about being defective, we talk about sin and disobeying God (quoted in Milligan 2002b).
Wilkinson, Denniss and Macintosh (2004) explore the issue throughout a discussion paper. The text revealed the following graph, depicting students responses and attitudes to private schools’ ability to dismiss a student based on their sexuality.The graph evidently displays a strong level of disagreeance among students throughout all types of schooling systems.
In my opinion I believe that the fact that private schools are exempt from the laws surrounding the Anti-Discrimination Act, where it is so clearly stated that it is against the law to discriminate against a person throughout a workplace or educational system based on their sexuality, is absolutely absurd. Discrimination against race is a major issue that is always treated with individuals full consideration and sensitivity, where is the difference between this and discrimination against sexuality. A law is a law, not to be challenged, altered, or tampered with, wether it be for the sake of religion or not. I fully understand that homosexuality is not accepted by particular religions, however it is a child’s education and that is the sole purpose they attend a school. Every individual has a right to an education.
REFERENCES
Tovey, J. (2013). Push to end expulsion of gay students The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/push-to-end-expulsion-of-gay-students-20130827-2soet.html
Wilkinson, D., Denniss, R., & Macintosh, A. (2004). The Accountability of Private Schools to Public Values. Retrieved from http://www.tai.org.au/documents/dp_fulltext/DP71.pdf
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