The 34-pupil Ananda Marga River School near Maleny was recently approved by the Education Department as school and is now seeking State funding. It comprises of an old farmhouse on 8.5ha, where children sing, do yoga, etc, as well as the three Rs, supervised by parents, one of who is a registered teacher. So, people can act legally, even when their situation does not conform with a given Act. As some have said for many years, Queensland's Education Act is likely to be invalid, as it contravenes the rights of parents and children to freedom of choice and outlaws alternatives that are recognised by many experts as superior to school. These issues go well beyond legal acceptance of parents who refuse to send tlieir children to school.
Schools receive government funding, as well as tax exemptions and many other privileges.
Some say the Governrment should issue vouchers to be spent on education as decided by the parents. But this still eulogises a dictatorial system to collect tax. Designed by Optionality 1996-97, all rights reserved.