SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN NSW GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS SUMMARY 2014
These procedures define respective responsibilities and emphasize the need to implement special religious education in a flexible way based on consultation and cooperation. Discussions with the NSW Department of Education and Communities Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education have also been considered.
DEFINITION
Special religious education is education in the beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion by authorised representatives of that persuasion.
General religious education is education about the world's major religions, what people believe and how that belief affects their lives. It is taught mainly through the school curriculum.
Approval to deliver special religious education
Religious persuasions must have the approval of the Minister for Education to deliver special religious education.
The provision of special religious education is not government funded.
The right to religious education
Parents/caregivers in public schools have the right to have their children receive instruction in their religious persuasion, where authorised teachers of that persuasion are available.
THE RIGHT OF CHOICE
Parents/caregivers also have the right to choose not to have their children attend special religious education. A parent/caregiver may at any time notify the school in writing that they do not wish their child to attend special religious education.
Provision of special religious education
Principals allow time for special religious education where authorised representatives of approved providers are available.
Special religious education is an integral part of school activities, taking place in school hours and under the jurisdiction of the school.
Principals support special religious education by ensuring that no academic instruction or formal school activities occur during time set aside for special religious education. Such activities create conflict of choice for some parents and students attending special religious education.
Timing of special religious education
Special religious education is organised by negotiation and agreement between the principal and the approved religious providers.
On average, not less than 30 minutes and not more than one hour of meaningful teaching time per week should be allocated for special religious education.
Information about lesson content
The principal is not responsible for, and does not disseminate details of, lesson content for special religious education, but will provide the name and contact details of the approved provider or their local representative.
Lesson content
It is the responsibility of an approved provider to:
¿ authorise the materials and pedagogy used by special religious education teachers
¿ provide an annual assurance to the NSW Department of Education and Communities that authorised teachers are only using materials and pedagogy authorised by the provider
¿ make lesson content accessible on a website or at least provide a program outline and curriculum scope and sequence documents
¿ provide information about the content of lessons when requested by parents/caregivers/principals.
Students not attending special religious education
In the times set aside for special religious education, students not attending are located in a separate physical space from special religious education classes.
Schools provide meaningful activities with appropriate care and supervision. These activities neither compete with special religious education nor are they lessons in the curriculum. Suitable activities include reading, private study and completing homework.
Student behaviour management
Principals and teachers retain duty of care for students and intervene in cases where it is necessary to maintain good order and conduct.
LINKS
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/curriculum/schools/spec_religious/PD20020074.shtml
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/policies/religion/
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/curriculum/schools/spec_religious/REimplementproced.pdf
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