Dear Editor:
This letter is in regards to the comments made by Thom Barker in his editorial on April 27, 2017. He starts off stating facts on how the separate school division came into existence, however the tone changes fast. The聽 area I take offence to is where he says 鈥濃�id public education of religion altogether, If people want their kids to have religious education they should do it at home, or in their churches where it belongs.鈥� Well Mr. Barker the public school division has rid their schools of religion. That is why my wife and I choose to have our children educated in the Catholic School division, as we want a faith based education for them. To imply that the only places where we are to practice our faith is only 鈥渋n the home or church鈥� is beyond words. As Christians we strongly believe that God is with us at all times and not only in the home or church. You and all the other non-believers, or those of a different faith have a choice to send your children to a school that is free from all talk and teachings of religion. Currently I also have a choice to send my children to a school the embraces Jesus and my faith. If this is taken away from all of us who chose this type of education, then we become like 2nd class citizens with no say on how our children are educated.
All three of my children who are currently enrolled in the Catholic School Division do not take any resources away from the public school division nor any of the teachers time. So why is it so important for the public school division to have my children鈥檚 tuition fees? It is not like the government would be paying less for the education as the funding for each child will still聽 be paid. Both school divisions offer great teachers and a quality education and our only deciding factor in choosing Catholic or Public was the fact that my children receive an education in a faith based school. Also a bonus for my children is that they are enrolled in French Immersion which is a program not offered in the public system.
To rip the non-Catholic children who are currently enrolled in the Catholic Schools would not only cause grief and stress to them, it would put an enormous strain on the current public school divisions where all schools are currently at capacity or over. Class sizes would increase giving the teachers less time to spend with each child, causing some to slip through the cracks when they need extra help.
I understand that we will disagree on religion and what our beliefs are, however this is more about the rights of all non-catholic parents and their children to have a choice of a faith based education or an education that isn鈥檛.
John Anderson
Yorkton, SK.
