[Greens-Media] Time to rethink religious education deal

[John Kaye]

Time to rethink religious education deal

Media release: 5 August 2006

Greens NSW Education spokesperson John Kaye called for the Iemma 
government to renegotiate its long standing deal with the churches 
that is excluding non-religious education options from public schools.

Commenting on the story in today's Sydney Morning Herald (p. 7), Dr 
Kaye said: "Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt should not hide behind 
a one hundred and twenty six year old deal with the churches. It is 
time she stood up to the entrench power of organised religion and 
offered secular alternatives in public schools.

"The arrangement between the NSW government and the churches dates 
back to 1880. It locks in one hour of religious instruction each week 
in public schools and it locks out all but the official churches.

"By sticking with this exclusive arrangement, the NSW government is 
effectively mandating what children will or will not believe.

"Public schools are the home of universal values and they do a great 
job teaching them.

"It is a shame that for one hour a week individual official religions 
are given such special treatment. It runs counter to very mission of 
public education and it is offensive to many parents.

"Public schools do best when they bring together the diverse range of 
world views that make up Australian society. Excluding some beliefs 
because they do not satisfy the narrow definition of a religion  is 
unfair and dangerous.

"Parents who are not part of any organised religion are demanding a 
much better deal. Their children should be given access to a range 
secular, ethics-based classes.

"While public schools do impart strong and consistent values, it is 
important that students develop an objective understanding of the 
range of belief systems that underpin our society, including those 
that do not stem from an organised religion, " Dr Kaye said.

For more information:       John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
phone: 0407 195 455
email: john at nsw.greens.org.au
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