JJ
I don't agree at all. What you're really saying is that the 44 is easier to learn on, not that it is better or will produce a better pilot.
If you're going to learn to drive a car, you learn in a manual, not an automatic. You learn clutch control, gears, throttle control and how to develop an empathy for all the mechanics working together. Even if you buy an automatic as soon as you throw away your 'L' plates, you'll be a better driver and have a deeper understanding of cars having learned in a manual.
Following your logic, we'd all learn in S61s with hover control, auto-pilot, etc.
TTB
PS I've also done the sums on comparative datcons and the time saved during start up/shut down and during autos makes no significant difference in the wider scheme of things. That's another typical 'Flying school argument' to convince the poor student to unnecessarily part with more cash.