by Ruth Woodhouse

Created on: July 02, 2007

I have read with interest the article written by Melissa Brennan about the recent announcement that chaplains are to be introduced into Australian schools. I must say first that I agree with the writer of the article that it is absolutely shameful that so many schools have been closed down in the Australian Capital Territory. However, I must say that John Howard cannot be blamed for that disgraceful situation. I am not siding with John Howard here. I do think he has been an above-average prime minister on the whole and has done a lot of good for the nation. Nevertheless, he has done his share of things that have caused just criticism - as most politicians do.

The school closures in the ACT though was the decision of the local government, not the federal government. What's more, John Howard is the leader of the federal Liberal party, whereas the local government in the ACT is currently under the leadership of the Labor party - for the time being anyway. I must say that I think they will be very lucky to be voted back in at the next election after closing so many schools, neglecting the interests of the historic rural community of Tharwa and giving the contract for the highly-successful recycling business built up by Revolve to another company - just to name a few of the most gross ways in which they have failed so many people.

Now the recent decision of John Howard and his federal Liberal party to fund chaplains in schools is another matter altogether. I must say that I personally think this is one of the commendable decisions that John Howard has made. Sure there are many kids who will not benefit from the services of those chaplains - and they won't just be those who belong to religions other than Christianity either.

However, there will be many who do benefit from the availability of these chaplains - and for their sake it is well worth the money that's being invested. Do we not provide teachers in schools for many subjects that a large number of children will not benefit from - either because they choose not to do those subjects - or if they are required to do so, they simply do not apply themselves? I certainly wasted a lot of time in high school sitting in certain mandatory classes - such as technical drawing - that I was forced to attend but just mucked around or daydreamed in because I had neither the aptitude nor any remote interest in them. I am sure this applies to a significant percentage of students in any high school.

As far as the issue of religion

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