The NDP taking on the Separate school funding isn't defeatist, it is the "charge of the light brigade". 

Perhaps people here, and they are few, have very short memories of that horrific campaign that ended with Liberals Laughing and not having to defend their record because they could scream "education" at the top of their lungs. It was the only voice they had. Their trump card to counter a pathetic record in office.  After the election, well, the issue no longer exists. Surprise.

The Federal Liberals will not campaign on a GreenSHift ever again. These are lessons learned.  Infact, the Federal Liberals are unlikely to campaign on environmental issues for the next decade because of the stink of the last campaign.

But I have my eyebrows raised when I read on these forums that people believe that this issue on Education is going to could win them a single seat.

I think, you might be lucky to have a single seat left, if you choose this issue as part of the next election cycle.   Religious school funding was a minor, minor, and near insignificant plank of the Tory Platform. But it was that plank he nearly walked off of heading into EDAY. 

Charge of the Light Brigade, it's not defeatist, it isn't victory either.