Prairie Valley School Division can preach all they want about what is best for the children. Busing more students greater distances is not.

They can argue (and with the blessing of the Province) that it is more cost-effective to teach to larger classes. We have yet to be convinced that the multiple consolidation of school divisions is saving us money. We suspect that it is instead being diverted (guess where).

The Department can claim that larger schools better prepare students for post-secondary education. Many need only look to their own roots to know that is not necessarily the case. If more proof is needed, then consider the scholars and professionals and business executives and tradespeople and politicians and, yes, senior civil servants whose educations began in small towns or country schools.

Last week’s letter by high school student Megan Johnston (”Hindering rural development”, Page 3) hit the nail on the head. Our government is pushing people away from small towns, all the while claiming to be trying to attract more.

by Michael G. Kearns