Commie Pervert Geek Girl, Feb 2005
Originally published in Express

On the surface, the continued presence of Destiny at Wellington High School is difficult to understand. The students don't want them there; more than half signed a petition demanding that the church/political party find an alternative venue. So why is the school administration unwilling to kick them out? Surely they don't approve of Destiny's homophobic message? Unlikely, given the school's long history of tolerance and celebration of diversity.

No, the probable reason is more pragmatic - the school needs the money. Schools in New Zealand today simply can't get by on the level of funding provided by the government. A regular paying customer like Destiny would make a significant contribution to balancing the books, however distasteful they may be.

It is understandable that schools are willing to accept money from dubious sources - loony cults, soft drink and junk food vending machines, corporate sponsorship - when that money can provide better resources for their students. Understandable, but far from desirable. Schools should not be placed in the position of having to make such choices.

The increase in compulsory "donations" required by many schools is another symptom of the education funding problem, with a number of unfortunate consequences. For some struggling families, paying these school fees is a real hardship. In other cases, students from poor backgrounds miss out on certain school activities because they can't pay.

School fees also help to stratify our allegedly "classless" society. When cost becomes a factor in choosing schools, the poor end up at the schools that make do with the lowest fees, while the more well off attend schools with higher fees and better facilities. This means that it is mostly other rich kids who benefit from any financial support given to schools by wealthy families - the ones who need it least. Private schools are simply the most extreme form of this division.

While some might argue that adults are entitled to whatever standard of living they are able to earn for themselves in the free market, that certainly doesn't apply to children. Children have no control over which family they are born in to, so there is no justification for allowing it to affect the quality of their education. To handicap some and privilege others from birth is hardly the level playing field so beloved of the right wing.

Skimping on school funding is also bad for the queer community. Underprivileged children who see other kids getting a better deal are more likely to look for scapegoats on whom to take out their frustrations. Underfunded schools are less able to address homophobic bullying or to instil tolerance and respect for diversity in the students.

Though today's reality is lacking, free quality education for all children is still what New Zealanders should be expecting and demanding.