The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-08-25

the breath of economic and
social reality into parents
constitutional right to deter
mine the education of their
children and send them to the
schools of their choice.
How can the state nipple
meF1f the parents rights?
BY freezing parents from
the burden of double school
payments, to say nothing of
triple and quadruple ones.
The state should help pro-
vide secular education in all
competent schools, regardless
of the religious doctrine which
may also be taught or not
taught in the schools.
This does not mean that
the public school system
should be abolished. 1t does
mean that it should not be
made a sacred COW. The pub
lie school system, indeed, is
essential for the literacy and
culture of our country. Most
American parents want it and
are generally satisfied with
1t. They have a right to its
continuation and excellence.
They do not have a right TO
force il on everyone else.
Do other democratic eoun-
tries pay for secular edues
ton in chureh .r g lated
schools7
Yes, practically all the
countries of western Europe.
Visitors from those countries
are shocked when they are
told that a great democracy
such as the United States pro-
vides no aid. In the Neither
lands, public funds provide
the entire cost of the educa-
ton of children in both
church-related and public
schools. Parents are free to
send their children TO either
type of school.
In the primary grades Cath
Ollie schols enroll AZ per cent
OF the pupils; Protestant
schools, q per cent; public
schools, 20 per cent, the re-
naming 2 per cent are in
nonsectarian private schools.
The system Is highly acclaim.
ed by all citizens as eminent
ly fair and just, and in ac-
cord with the spirit of a gem
uine democracy. Here free
dom OF education is not an
empty phrase but a living
reality.
What is The system in Eng.
land and Wales7
Publicly financed schools
are divided into voluntary
controlled and the voluntary
aided. The first arc entirely
supported by public funds,
while the latter receive rs
per cent of their funds from
the government. The control
led" schools follow a common
religious syllabus, while the
"aided" schools determine
their own religious instruc-
ton. The majority of Cath
Ollie and Anglican schools fall
into the latter category.
How does ireland meet this
problem7
The Constitution Of the
Irish Republic provides that
'the state shall not oblige
parents in violation OF their
conscience and lawful prefer
ence to send their children to
school established by the
State or to any type of schools
designated by the State"
The State pays practically
all the costs Of teachers sal
aries and school construction,
Though the country is about
~ per cent Catholic, 1t Is
careful to protect the rights
of religious minorities and
provides them with the same
generous aid given To the
majority. The Irish Republic
thus sets an inspiring example
Of true democratic action for
the rest Of the world
What about other European
e%ounfriss7
In one form or another, par
ents who send their children
to church.related schools get
public aid in France, West
ern Germany. Belgium, Swift
erland, Sweden, Norway, Italy,
and Israel. The general prin-
ciple underlying the legisla-
ton in these countries is that
such nonprofit private schools
render a valuable public sery.
ice which the government
should in justice help sup
port.
Whst Is the system in
Csnads7
The system varies in the
different provinces. In the
populous province of Quebec
public funds help parents edu-
cate their children in church
related schools. The province
Of Ontario has a public school