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Attention News Editors:

Public Education Fairness Network welcomes support
from Catholic Church

TORONTO, Sept. 9 /CNW/ – The Public Education Fairness Network
today welcomed the unequivocal support of Ontario’s Catholic Church
leadership for fairness in education.

"The public funding of Catholic schools recognizes that parents
have the right to make educational choices for their children, and
that the state should assist them," said a news release from the
Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Bishops reiterated their commitment that "the best education
for all students impels us to respect and support the wishes of
parents in other faith communities for religious education in the
public school system or for alternative schools which will reflect
their values and beliefs."

David Koschitzky, Vice Chair, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto,
representing both UJA Federation and Canadian Jewish Congress said
that "This clear Catholic endorsement of government support for
faith-based schools opens a new chapter in our quest for fairness in a
more inclusive public education system in Ontario. This is a giant
stride toward the civil discussion needed on this issue."

"All Ontarians have a stake in a fair and strong public education
system.

The support of the Catholic Church is especially welcome, because
publicly supported Catholic schools are shining examples of how
faith-based education contributes to a vibrant and pluralistic
society," added Sivan Karshafian, a member of the ARS Armenian School
Board.

"This show of solidarity is especially important to demonstrate
that public education fairness is an issue around which we, as proud
Ontarians, should unite. It’s not something to be feared," said
Mustafa Khalil Rawji of the As-Sadiq Islamic School.

Approximately 650,000 Catholic students are enrolled in Ontario’s
publicly funded, faith-based Catholic school system, whereas 53,000
children from other faith-based schools are shut out of public
education.

The Public Education Fairness Network is comprised of members of
the Armenian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities who have come
together to advocate for the inclusion of all Ontario faith-based
schools that meet provincial standards in public education. Ontario is
the only province to support one faith-based school system to the
exclusion of others.

For further information: Howard English, VP, Corporate
Communications,
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, 4600 Bathurst St.,
Toronto, M2R 3V2, Phone:
(416) 631-5735, Cell: (416) 274-8461,
henglish@ujafed.org