Catholic Education Tasmania to review proposed religion course amid backlash

Equality Tasmania’s president is calling on Catholic Education Tasmania “to scrap its discriminatory and harmful curriculum” proposed for local schools. Their response >>

Rodney Croome, from Equality Tasmania. Picture: Kenji Sato

Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) will review a new religious education program it had proposed to introduce in schools next year amid backlash over course content advocating traditional marriage.

CET intends to introduce new courses in years 11 and 12, with the changes set to commence in 2024.

Equality Tasmania president Rodney Croome said the Good News for Living curriculum was hostile to LGBTIQA+ students, discriminating against them “by teaching that ‘sacramental marriage’, from which these students are excluded, is the basis for intimacy, love, family life and even civilisation itself”.

“We know from national and local research that school is where LGBTIQA+ students can face the worst discrimination, exclusion, stigma and bullying, leading too often to self-harm and suicide,” he said.

Rodney Croome, President of Equality Tasmania. Picture: Linda Higginson

“This proposed curriculum will only increase the harm LGBTIQA+ students face and increase their mental health risk.

“I call on Catholic Education Tasmania to scrap its discriminatory and harmful curriculum or, at the least, consult with mental health experts and LGBTIQA+ support organisations about how to make the curriculum more inclusive.”

Mr Croome said if the curriculum changes went ahead, Equality Tasmania would lodge complaints with the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification and the Anti-Discrimination Commission.

“I am deeply concerned about Catholic Education Tasmania and the broader Catholic education system because I hear regular reports of discrimination against LGBTIQA+ students and staff of the kind that are illegal under Tasmanian law,” he said.

A CET spokesman said the program was currently being reviewed following “release of the long-awaited two and three-unit courses in studies in religion and feedback from college principals”.

“CET looks forward to working closely with secondary school principals and Religious Education staff in preparation of courses for 2024,” the spokesman said.

“It is likely that schools will be able to present students with a number of options best suited to their educational needs and chosen career paths.”

Originally published as Catholic Education Tasmania to review proposed religion course amid backlash