Well we are blessed with fantastic teachers and resources but the main thing to ensure is that no Christian student is excluded from a Christian education because his or her parents can't afford it.

If this is an argument for the status quo, it needs to be rejected on the grounds we can do so much better, by #1 putting the student in the centre of the education funding model which #2 ought to be means tested and directed by the parent as a needs based direct funding model, #3 coupled to almost absolute autonomy? thus #4 ensuring the one buck of finite money does the most work at the coal face proper.

A school curriculum that doesn't include mandated music is never going to be the best model for us, ditto dogma free mindfulness as practised mandated meditation, presided over by folks who understand that this practise is just and only about stilling the monkey chatter that is the human mind!

Which as shown in the studies, also acts to quite massively decrease stress, anxiety and counterproductive pre examination nerves; and seems to improve long term retention and memory.

And in both cases and as standard practise, has been shown to markedly improve academic outcomes as has early "play based" pre education. That nonetheless contributes to better numeracy and literacy outcomes and whole of life improved productive and lifestyle consequences. Alan B.

Spoken from the safe environment on non government schools, Simon forgets she is the Minster for all not just the Christian schools.

Simon not sure where you are on the Liberal rank for the upper house in SA but watch out Nick is coming.

Cobber,

Birmingham is the federal minister. "Senator" might have been a clue.

He has also been a defender of the "Safe" Schools program. Says it all.

@calwest er yes I understand, the senate is also called the upper house and if you recall we are having an election. For upper house ( Senate) voting each party puts up a number of candidates but they are ranked, so if they only get the votes for three positions then only their top three go in.
I'm predicting the Libs will only get three senators in SA in this election. Nick and others are going to pole well, because everybody hates Payne and Cory.

Simon, whether it be health, domestic violence or education, the funding is poorly distributed in most areas.

As for education, one huge problem is that so many students don't want to be there, and many of these are from parents who don't give a damn, even opting out of the likes of homework.

I feel it would be far more sensible to offer affordable tutoring to those who actually want to learn, or at the very least have parents who want the best for their kids. Otherwise you are simply throwing more money at the symptom and ignoring the cause.