The Minister for Education, Nick McKim, today slammed the Liberals for suggesting he intervene to dictate to schools who they allow to visit and speak to students.
Mr McKim said Tasmanian schools should be fearful of the Liberals’ command and control policy that they would enforce on schools.
“We now know that the Liberals would censor what happens in schools and deny students the opportunity to hear differing points of views.
“This will send a chill down the spine of all school principals and school communities.
“Mr Ferguson’s suggestion that I should intervene to say who should or should not visit schools is nothing short of draconian.
“Mr Ferguson’s position is obviously that if he agrees with people then it’s OK to let them into schools, but if he disagrees with them, they would be banned.
“Mr Ferguson should have done his homework.
“Still Wild Still Threatened were not invited to speak at the event. However, Forestry Tasmania, the Wilderness Society and a number of state and federal Labor and Liberal Green and independent politicians were invited to attend the event.
“Ranga Day is a student and staff-led day of action at Taroona High School to raise awareness and funds for DeforestACTION, which aims to raise money to protect rainforest in Borneo,” Mr McKim said.
“Mr Ferguson is clearly suggesting only one side of the debate speak to students.
“What next? At this rate, Mr Ferguson will soon be calling on me to ban the teaching of evolution in schools.
“I strongly back school leadership teams and school communities making these decisions, and allowing students to hear differing views so they can make up their own minds.
“That is what education is all about.”
