A discussion paper commissioned by the Australian Education Union that was presented last week at a NSW public school teachers’ conference casts doubt about the cohesive role of ethno-religious schools within Australia’s multicultural context.

The paper was prepared by Professor Andrew Jakubowicz from the University of Technology, Sydney.

The issue of ethno-religious schools is only one of the many elements discussed in the paper with the core argument being that the important role of government schools has been compromised by a proliferation of public funding towards private schools.

“[…]there is little doubt that the Howard government strategy (continued by the Rudd government) of directing federal funds to private schools suits the idea of the market and the ideology of choice.

However it may significantly undermine three key struts in the whole edifice of social cohesion and modern citizenship – namely intercultural competence, secularism as a core social value, and interactive life-long learning,” writes Professor Jakubowicz.

He explained to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) that the ethno-religious schooling question is only one aspect of a broader issue about the decline of multiculturalism in general education policy over the last ten years.

“The argument that I’m making is that with the increasing proportion of kids going to ethno-religious schools, there hasn’t been a parallel investment by government in ensuring what I call bridging capital, that is the experience of students interacting more generally with people who are different from themselves,” Professor Jakubowicz clarified.

In his report he did concede that there are many ethno-religious schools that recognise and try to address this question but are limited by a lack of public funding towrds this end.

The view by Professor Jakubowicz echoes similar concerns voiced in a past interview to NKEE by Australian Education Union Federal President Angelo Gavrielatos.

“I fear for the future of this multicultural Australia if we continue down the path of what I call state sponsored segregation where we continue to educate, in increasing numbers, students on ethno-religious and class lines; it is not in the national interest,” Mr Gavrielatos had said.

Two principals of Greek schools Alphington Grammar and Oakleigh Greek Orthodox College Sts Anargiri, Michael Smith and Steve Charisis respectively insist that their schools dispute arguments made by Professor Jakubowicz and Angelo Gavrielatos alike.

“The philosophy and foundation of our school is to ensure that children of a Greek background have an understanding of their heritage but only within the context of our multicultural society,” Mr Charisis said.

The principal of Alphington Grammar in comments made to Neos Kosmos late last month had also highlighted his school’s commitment to multiculturalism. “In our school there are students from 25 different ethnic backgrounds who coexist harmoniously.

As a school we build bridges daily amongst the different cultures that are represented in our student population,” Mr Smith stressed.