The Karmel report of 1973, a watershed period of the Seventh-day Adventist school system in Australia?

This study has arisen out of a need for the SDA community to document and understand the impact of public policy at the federal level on the Seventh-day Adventist education system in Australia, particularly since the early 1970’s.

Using a developmental framework, it is the purpose of this thesis to examine the direction that Seventh-day Adventist education has taken from the 1950’s to the early 1970’s and into the post Karmel period within the context of the changing nature of Australian society and the resulting educational changes as initiated at the federal level. It concentrates on one of the most influential reports from the Commonwealth, entitled Schools in Australia, which was released on May18,1973 by the Interim Committee of the proposed Schools Commission. This Report, referred to as the Karmel Report, was seen to establish a watershed period in initiating new directions for schools, particularly for those involved in the non-government sector and the implications of this Report have continued to affect the way that government policy decisions have been made since that time.

The study examines the way the Report was received by the education authorities of the SDA Church, their reaction and their response to it. I also analyses the effects it has had on the operation and development of Seventh-day Adventist schools in relationship to their values, educational philosophy and the changing social factors both from within the church and society at large.

The research involves interviews with Seventh-day Adventist educational leadership of that time period, an analysis of related documents and committee meeting minutes held in the church archives, official church papers, government documents and a review of the Karmel Report itself. The research attempts to encapsulate the essence of the problems and dilemmas that faced SDA education during this period.

It is possible that these research findings as presented in this paper, may be used as a guide and a direction for further discussions by the Church in relation to future public policy decisions which, inevitably, will continue to react and impact upon the SDA church system of schools.

Availability:
Free
Publication Date:
1993
Author:
B J Wright
Order Information:
Copy available from Avondale College-Main-[371.0716794 W93] Avondale College-E.G. White Centre-[371.0716794 W93]
Language:
English
Resource Type:
Unpublished Plans & Papers
Resource Objective:
Research
Level:
Kindergarten-Lifelong
Audience:
Researcher
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist