Secular parents in push to remove religious instruction

There have been new calls for a state government review of a religious instruction program that has been part of Queensland school timetables for more than 100 years. VOTE IN THE POLLS

Renewed calls have been made for the state government to review how its controversial century-old religious instruction practices are taught in Queensland public schools.

Lobby group Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools has been calling for changes to religious instruction for nearly a decade without success.

In Queensland schools, one hour of religious instruction is provided to students, with the exception of preppies, if they are given consent from parents on enrolment.

Under Queensland legislation, it allows volunteers from religious groups to enter state schools to deliver approved religious instruction, a statement on the department of education’s website.

The parents’ association spokeswoman Alison Courtice said the practice in public schools had changed little since 1910 and said parents felt it did not align with a modern Queensland.

Ms Courtice suggested religious instruction be moved to break times or have a change in policy which allowed non-participants to continue regular class work, taught by teachers.

Alison Courtice, from Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools. Picture: Josh Woning

“We are not saying they can’t or shouldn’t practice faith, but there’s a time and place. It should not be during curriculum time,” Ms Courtice said.

“Religion in public schools still has the same law from 1910 that religious organisation can come in, essentially Sunday school, at the expense of learning.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said she was aware that there were differing views on the “issue” but confirmed there were no proposed changes.

“Religious instruction is not compulsory and if schools do choose to do it, it’s limited to one hour a week and it’s up to parents whether their child participates or not,” Ms Grace said.

Ms Grace said nonparticipating students received supervised instruction in a separate location, such as reading time or personal research.

P&Cs Qld chief executive Scott Wiseman said the association did not have an official stance on whether or not religious instruction had a place in schools.

“It needs to be a local school community decision, local P&Cs should talk it through with the community,” Mr Wiseman said.

“If it’s something the local community want that’s fine, if not, that’s fine.”

In 2021 however, the association quietly removed religious instruction as a priority from its annual advocacy position statement’s wellbeing section.

It had previously stated that “access to Religious Instruction within the school where the school parents, school community and principal consider it to be a best fit” was a priority.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace. File picture:NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Mr Wiseman did acknowledge that the debate had been a divisive “issue” in schools for a long time.

Ms Courtice said religious instruction could have a place in an approved curriculum if it was used for education purposes to teach students about different cultures.

“If religion is going to be included, it should be in a comparative way, taught by teachers and part of an approved curriculum,” she said.

“Students can then understand why their classmates might wear a turban, or have a dot on their forehead or wear a hijab. That would be wonderful.”

Ms Courtice said an online religious instruction that children could study with the guidance of parents or guardians would also be appropriate.

According to a Right To Information document obtained by the parental group, just 26 per cent of parents or guardians out of 568,752 enrolments statewide, gave permission for their children to be taught religious education in 2019.

Originally published as Secular parents in push to remove religious instruction