One-size-fits-all doesn’t suit education

John Carpay

The recent controversy over the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer at a public school in Taber underscores the need for real choice and real diversity in public education. Some say religion has no place in public schools. Others argue that Christians of various denominations, who make up the overwhelming majority of Taber’s citizens, pay taxes for public education and are therefore entitled to a school which reflects and practises their beliefs.

This controversy shows that a one-size-fits-all model for public education can function only in a homogenous society where everyone (or almost everyone) has the same worldview or philosophical assumptions.

In Canada’s pluralistic society, many people adhere to a variety of non-Christian worldviews, including atheism, agnosticism, Judaism, Islam, and other religions. While atheist, agnostic, and other non-Christian parents have every right to demand that their children not be required to recite the Lord’s Prayer in school, their position is neither neutral nor objective.  (more...)

One-size-fits-all doesn’t suit education