Christian Heritage Party Education spokesperson, Rod Harris, questions some of the values' systems being advocated by the Minister of Education with his speech at the launch of the UNESCO and Living Values Trust Values Education Seminars.

The Living Values project is supported by UNESCO, whose sponsors include Brahma Kumaris. Brahmas Kumaris is a religious sect that practises raja yoga, and meditation. The Living Values programme includes meditation exercises.

“By advocating this programme, Mr Mallard is contravening section 77 of the Education Act 1964, which states that ‘teaching in the state school shall be entirely of a secular character.’ The introduction of this clause has created a void on values in education by removing the Christian influence. Now it would appear that Mr Mallard is advocating that we adopt eastern religions to fill this void. Any introduction of this programme into schools will bring non-secular education into our schools. How can Mr Mallard justify this?”

Mr Harris said, “Everyone acknowledges the need for values education for our children. However, the values proposed by the Living Values Trust are no different from what we have had for more than the last 30 years: that a person’s values should be based largely on personal preferences. Is the Minister so naive as to believe that more of the same will solve the declining values of the past 30 years? Values need a standard to be judged by. Values in this nation have declined since the “Standard” has been removed from the classroom. Now many simply do what is right in their own eyes. The only way to restore this nation to the safe society it once was is to return to the Biblical values that this nation has as a heritage.”

Contact: Mr Rod Harris on 0 9 438 7735

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