2011/08: Should primary schools run Special Religious Instruction classes?
What they said...
'Volunteers are not educators. Too many are motivated by the desire to convert students to Christianity rather than teach religion in an impartial way'
Jewel Topsfield, education editor for The Age
'There is great respect and cooperation between the SRI providers, of all the faiths...We ...work cooperatively where we can'
Dr Evonne Paddison, chief executive office for ACCESS Ministries
The issue at a glance
On March 27, 2011, a news report published in The Age revealed that a number of schools have challenged the Victorian Education Department's policy that all primary schools are to run Christian education classes.
In addition to these challenges, the Humanist Society of Victoria is taking legal action against the Department, claiming children who opt out of "special religious instruction" are being discriminated against.
Defenders of the current policy argue that the Department is doing no more than is required of it under the law.
This year New South Wales has begun an ethics program to be run parallel to its Special Religious Education for those children whose parents do not want them to attend the religious education.
Background
Special Religious Instruction in Victorian Schools
(The following information on the operation of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 comes from the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Internet site. It can be accessed at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/referenceguide/curric/3_22.htm
The information on ACCESS Ministries comes from http://www.givewell.com.au/print.asp?op=full&txtOrganisation=COC
Information on the New South Wales ethics instruction in schools program can be found at http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/policies/ethics/index.htm)
Special religious instruction in government schools is authorised by Section 2.2.11 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. This Act supersedes legislation on Religious instruction contained in Section 23 of the Education Act 1958.
In section 2.2.11(5) of the Act, special religious instruction is defined as 'instruction provided by churches and other religious groups and based on distinctive religious tenets and beliefs.'
A school principal should make provision for special religious instruction where an accredited and approved instructor is available.
Attendance at special religious instruction classes is not to be compulsory for any student whose parents desire that he or she be excused from attending as reflected in section 2.2.11(2)(c) of the Act.
Special religious instruction may only be delivered by accredited instructors who are approved by the Minister for Education. Instructors who deliver the non-denominational agreed Christian syllabus Religion in Life(r) are accredited through ACCESS Ministries and not by the church to which the instructor may belong.
Catholic, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Buddhist, Bah 'ˇ, Hare Krishna and instructors from other recognised religions should be accredited through the relevant religious authorities, which include the Catholic Education Office, Catholic Diocese, United Jewish Board, Greek Orthodox Diocese, and the World Conference of Religions for Peace.
Where parents request special religious instruction in a particular faith that is not provided at the school, principals should advise parents that such instruction can only be scheduled where the particular religious group provides an accredited instructor who is approved by the Minister for Education.
ACCESS Ministries
More than 90% of the religious instruction currently being given in Victorian government primary schools is delivered by ACCESS Ministries, a Christian multi-denominational group - nominated from these participating churches: the Anglican Church, the Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God in Australia), the Baptist Union of Victoria, the Christian Brethren Fellowships in Victoria, the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, the CRC Churches International, the Churches of Christ in Australia, the Lutheran Church of Australia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia, the Salvation Army, the Uniting Church in Australia and the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia.
As the Council for Christian Education in Schools, it was established in 1943 by Protestant Christian Churches to co-ordinate curriculum and volunteer teachers of Christian Religious Education in Victorian state schools under the provisions of the Education Act. It was incorporated as a company in 1945. The Council is representing 12 Protestant Churches. In June 2007 The Council for Christian Education in Schools (CCES) launched its new trading name "ACESS ministries".
Its functions are to recruit and train volunteer teachers of Christian religious education based on a government agreed curriculum syllabus. To produce, publish and sell the agreed curriculum syllabus Religion in Life(r). To recruit, train and employ chaplains in state primary and secondary schools. The government supplies some 45% of its revenue, which in 2009 was $ 12,278,356.
Similar provisions apply in Western Australia where most instructors are drawn from YouthCARE which represents 13 Christian denominations. The ACCESS ministries syllabus and materials are used.
Developments in New South Wales
Following a decision of the New South Wales Government, from Term 1, 2011, schools may include a course in special education in ethics as an option for students whose parents have requested exemption from special religious education (SRE). Current implementation is for primary schools only. Special education in ethics is education in ethical decision making, action and reflection within a secular framework, based on a branch of philosophy.
St James Ethics Centre is the initial approved provider of these classes. The Centre has established a separate organisation, Primary Ethics, which is responsible for all aspects of course delivery, including providing trained volunteers and resources.
Primary Ethics will make special education in ethics available in Years 5-6 from Term 1, 2011 at schools where Primary Ethics has appointed a coordinator and trained volunteer teachers are available.
Internet information
The Victorian Education and Training Reform Act 2006 - SECT 2.2.11 outlines those conditions under which special religious education may be given in Victorian Government schools.
The full content of this section of the Act may be accessed at http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/eatra2006273/s2.2.11.html
On November 1, 2010, the ABC's Religion and Ethics published an opinion piece by Cathy Byrne, a PhD scholar at Macquarie University's Centre for Research on Social Inclusion. The piece, titled, 'Special Religious Education: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly', presents a view of the origin of secular education in Australia and argues for a reform of the religious instruction programs run in Victoria and New South Wales.
The full text of this opinion can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2010/11/01/3054122.htm?topic1=&topic2=
On November 11, 2010, the Humanist Society of Victoria issued a statement outlining some of its objections to religious instruction as currently delivered within Victorian schools. These views can be found at http://humanist.quantechsolutions.com.au/2010/11/religion-in-schools/
On November 12, 2010, the ABC's Religion and Ethics published an opinion piece by Scott Hedges titled, 'Why does Australia Play with Religious Faith in Schools?' Mr Hedges is part of the Fairness in Religions in Schools campaign, apparently made-up of concerned parents.
The opinion piece is critical of the manner in which religious education is conducted in Victoria. The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2010/11/12/3064959.htm?topic1=&topic2=
In April 2011, ACCESS Ministries issued a media release responding to criticisms of the Ministries and the manner in which religious instruction is delivered in Victoria from the Humanist Society of Victoria. Access Ministries is an association of Christian denominations, which train and supply religious instructors who work as volunteers in Victorian primary schools. The media release is titled, 'Access Ministries and & Special Religious Instruction in Victorian Government Schools'. It was written by Dr Evonne Paddison, the chief executive officer of ACCESS.
The full text of the media release can be found at http://www.accessministries.org.au/sb/modules/news/attachments/13/ACCESS%20ministries%20and%20SRI_April2011.pdf
On April 5, 2011, Access Ministries published an opinion piece by Dr Evonne Paddison, their chief executive officer. Access Ministries is an association of Christian denominations, excluding Catholicism, which train and supply religious instructors who work as volunteers in Victorian primary schools.
Dr Paddison is arguing in support of this practice. Her piece answers a range of questions and objections that have been asked about religious instruction in this state.
The full text can be found at http://www.accessministries.org.au/news/id/11
On April 8, 2011, the ABC's Religion and Ethics published an opinion piece titled, 'Time to Review Religious Instruction in Schools'.
The piece is written by Gary Bouma, UNESCO Chair in Inter-religious and Intercultural Relations - Asia Pacific, and Anna Halafoff, Researcher in Inter-religious and Intercultural Relations at Monash University.
The piece argues for an inclusive form of general education in a range of religious traditions as a way of building acceptance of a variety of faiths and perspectives.
The full text can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/04/08/3185955.htm?topic1=&topic2=
On April 12, 2011, the ABC's Religion and Ethics published an opinion piece by Scott Hedges titled, 'Saving our Schools from Religious Instruction'. Mr Hedges is part of the Fairness in Religions in Schools campaign. His opinion piece examines the historical background to the introduction of religious instruction in Victoria and argues that it was a 1950s response to the Cold War. The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2011/04/12/3189000.htm
The Catholic Church in Australian runs separate schools that teach its religious beliefs. It is not a significant contributor to the Special Religious Instruction program run in state primary schools. A statement of its position on the importance of religious instruction is made by Stephen Elder, the Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. This can be found at http://www.ceomelb.catholic.edu.au/
Some of the teaching materials used within Catholic primary and secondary schools can be found at http://resource.fraynework.com.au/
On April 18, 2011, New Matilda published a commentary and analysis by its religious editor Mark Fletcher. The article, titled, 'Teach the Godless About God', gives a good overview of the development of the issue as well as the views of its author, who supports a general education about different religions rather than religious instruction.
The full text can be accessed at http://newmatilda.com/2011/04/18/teach-the-godless-about-god
Arguments against primary schools running Special Religious Instruction classes
1. Running only Christian education classes is discriminatory in a pluralist society
It has been argued that it is inappropriate to give religious instruction that focuses exclusively on Christianity. Victoria's is a pluralist society in which there are believers in a large number of religious creeds in addition to those who have no religious belief at all. A pluralist society is one which recognises and values a diversity of beliefs.
Although religious communities such as Buddhists, Jews and Baha'i's also offer religious instruction classes in Victoria, students can only choose to receive instruction from one religious tradition.
More than 90% of the religious instruction currently being given in Victorian government primary schools is delivered by ACCESS Ministries, a Christian multi-denominational group supported by twelve Christian Churches - nominated from these participating churches: the Anglican Church, the Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God in Australia), the Baptist Union of Victoria, the Christian Brethren Fellowships in Victoria, the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, the CRC Churches International, the Churches of Christ in Australia, the Lutheran Church of Australia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia, the Salvation Army, the Uniting Church in Australia and the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia.
2. The religious instruction is often not presented neutrally
Complaints have been made the information contained in religious education classes is often not presented in an unbiased manner. It has been claimed that some of the volunteers actually attempt to make converts among the students.
Jewel Topsfield, education editor for The Age, in an opinion piece published in the paper on April 3, 2011, stated, 'Volunteers are not educators. Too many are motivated by the desire to convert students to Christianity rather than teach religion in an impartial way.'
Topsfield further stated, "Proselytising [preaching to attract believers] is supposed to be forbidden in religious education classes, but the accounts of many students suggest it happens. One mother withdrew her children after her six-year-old daughter was taught that families who did not attend church would drown when the second flood came."
Critics claim that such pressure may cause the child psychological distress. The parent of one child informed Topsfield, "[My daughter] begged me to start going to church so we wouldn't die. She was so frightened she had nightmares and her siblings felt the fear too."
3. Many parents object to religious instruction being given in schools
Critics claim that instructing a child in religion is the role of a parent not of the school. Scott Hedges, who is a member of the Fairness in Religions in Schools campaign, a grassroots campaign made-up of concerned parents has stated, 'In my opinion, religion is an intimate part of family life.'
Critics further claim that many parents would prefer that schools refrain from giving religious instruction. The website, Religions in Schools, set up by concerned parents to gather views on the issue, has received many emails. A large number stated that while learning about religion is important, they object to this being done within Victorian primary schools. A poll conducted by The Age resulted in 67% of respondents objecting to religion being taught in Victorian schools.
The education editor for The Age has stated, 'One of the most common explanations of why the government funds private schools is that parents have the right to choose an education for their children in line with their religious beliefs and values. Similarly, many parents choose government schools because they are not religious.'
4. We should have general religious education and ethics taught in schools, not religious instruction
Several recent Australian studies have recognised the central role that education plays in building a socially inclusive and secure multi-faith society.
These studies have recommended a shift from special religious instruction, as it is known in Victoria, currently taught be volunteers from mostly Christian communities in government schools, to a more inclusive form of religions education to be developed and taught by qualified educators. It has been argued that rather than 'teach Christianity', Victorian government primary schools should be encouraging children to respect all religious traditions.
Gary Bouma,UNESCO Chair in Inter-religious and Intercultural Relations - Asia Pacific, and Anna Halafoff, Researcher in Inter-religious and Intercultural Relations at Monash University have stated, 'Allowing narrow religious messages to be taught to young Australians could sustain inter-religious ignorance and heighten social tensions; whereas, promoting an understanding of diverse faiths is likely to increase respect for religions and to minimise alienation and thereby contribute to a more harmonious society.'
A similar point has been made by the Humanist Society of Victoria which argues, 'even in primary school, students would benefit from a professional, non-partisan course of comparative religions and beliefs, under the category of "general religious education". By learning about the tradition, history and geography of the major religions and world-views, they would better understand today's world and their fellows in our multi-ethnic society. Social cohesion and civic trust would improve. Applied ethics would sit well in GRE, even more than in SRI.'
5. Children who opt out of religious instruction classes are not given an alternative activity
A complaint before the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission claims children who opt out of religious classes are being discriminated against because they are denied a proper secular alternative.
Scott Hedges who is a member of the Fairness in Religions in Schools campaign is unhappy about the lack of real opinions given those who opt out religious instruction. Hedges has claimed that when he questioned the religious instruction his children were receiving, 'I was given the generous option of having my daughter "opt out" and sit in the teachers office with the Jew and the atheist child while the majority of her friends stayed with the ministry volunteer and their fun cartoon time. Some choice.'
Another parental story gathered as part of the Humanist Society Of Victoria's campaign against religious instruction in schools includes the following - 'On the first day of the class, my daughter, being the only one whose parents had [opted her out of the SRI class] was asked to sit on her own at her desk, in the same room, while the SRI class was conducted, so she got Christian education by watching it any way... she was in tears at being left out of the group. She just had to sit and watch, and was told by the volunteer, "Your mum ticked no, so you can't participate in this class".
6. From a legal perspective, the Victorian public education system should be secular
Opponents of the manner in which religious instruction is currently being delivered in Victorian government schools argue that it is contrary to the legal basis on which public education was established in this state.
According to this argument such education was intended to be secular, that is, not promoting a particular faith. Critics argue that teaching only Christianity as happens in most Victorian primary schools is contrary to the intent of the legislation that set up the state education system.
The Humanist Society of Victoria claims to have recently obtained reputable legal advice that the current departmental administration is inconsistent with the secular intent of the Education & Training Reform Act 2006 and appears to infringe equal opportunity law. The Society is gathering evidence to support a formal legal challenge to the manner in which religious instruction is delivered in Victoria.
Scott Hedges is part of the Fairness in Religions in Schools campaign, a campaign made-up of concerned parents. Mr Hedges has stated, 'Australians, including Australian Christians, should care about the legacy of "secular" education and the importance of such education in a pluralist democratic society.' Mr Hedges also argues that the current mode of religious instruction in Victorian schools is contrary to the spirit in which secular instruction was first legally established here.
Arguments in favour of primary schools running Special Religious Instruction classes
1. Special Religious Instruction as practised in Victorian state primary schools is not discriminatory
Defenders of Special Religious Instruction as practised in Victoria claim that it is not discriminatory.
It has been noted that other faith providers do offer SRI for students in Victorian government schools. There is Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha'i, Sikh, and Muslim SRI, as well as some separate Orthodox and Catholic programs operating in schools. Different organisations oversee the work of these providers.
The small number of instructors providing information about other faiths (approximately four percent) has been justified as reflecting the incidence of these faiths in the Victorian population. ACCESS Ministries states, 'The numbers of students participating in other SRI programs is smaller than the number participating in CRE, which reflects the demographic spread of religions within our Australian context.'
Each of the various providers of SRI teaches only their own religion to students in their classes. This is what is provided for in the Act of Education and the Department of Education guidelines.
2. Special Religious Instruction is within the terms of the Victorian Education and Training Reform Act
Special religious instruction is provided for in the Victorian Education and Training Reform Act (2006). The Act provides for religious instruction to be given in Victorian government schools by approved instructors from recognised religions (not just Christianity). The provision of SRI is under the direction of the Minister for Education and DEECD.
In the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, 'special religious instruction' is defined as 'instruction provided by churches and other religious groups and based on distinctive religious tenets and beliefs'. This is not, its defenders argue, some form of ethics or comparative religions study, but education provided by churches and centred on their beliefs.
The Act states, 'Special religious instruction may be given in a Government school in accordance with this section.'
The apparently discretionary element in the use of the word 'may' has been disputed. It appears that provision of religious instruction is only discretionary where there are no suitable instructors available. This is the reading given by Nr Evonne Paddison, the chief executive officer of ACCESS Ministries and apparently the reading endorsed by the Education Department. Dr Paddison has stated, 'It is not the school's prerogative to refuse SRI. The discretionary word "may" in the Act clearly relates to the providers of SRI. The principle and intention of the Act is to require school principals to arrange for SRI to be scheduled for 30 minutes per week on the school timetable where accredited and approved instructors are available.'
3. Those who teach Religious Instruction in Victorian government schools are well-trained volunteers
The Victorian Education and Training Reform Act, 2006, states
'If special religious instruction is given in a Government school during
the hours set apart for the instruction of the students the persons providing the special religious instruction must be persons who are accredited representatives of churches or other religious groups and who are approved by the Minister for the purpose.'
ACCESS ministries Special Religious Instruction (SRI) lessons are taught by some 3200 volunteers each week. ACCESS Ministries claims, 'They are among the thousands of volunteers who contribute 713 million hours of service annually to Australian society (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Voluntary Work survey 2006).'
All ACCESS ministries SRI teachers must successfully complete the prescribed application and training requirements for this role. All ACCESS ministries SRI teachers have a valid Working with Children Check, an endorsement from their local Minister/Pastor/Priest who has known them for at least 12 months, and have successfully completed their initial training.
They have also been approved by the Minister for Education for the purposes of delivering SRI. All ACCESS ministries SRI teachers are required to participate in ongoing training every year.
4. There are opt-out provisions for those who do not wish their children to participate in the program
Parents may indicate that they do not wish to have their children receive Special Religious Instruction.
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 states, 'attendance for the special religious instruction is not to be compulsory for any student whose parents desire that he or she be excused from attending.'
ACCESS Ministries further states, 'CRE [Christian Religious Education] is not compulsory for any student to attend. The wishes of parents regarding their child's participation in any SRI are well respected by schools and the various providers of SRI.'
Under Education Department guidelines children who opt out are not to do other school work as this would create anomalies with the rest of the class which is undertaking Special Religious Instruction (SRI)at the time. Depending on the supervision that can be arranged, children whose parents do not want them to take part in SRI either sit at the back of the class, or in quiet rooms or corridors while religious education is under way.
A Department of Education spokesperson has stated, 'If SRI is offered it is to be scheduled on the school timetable; the usual period of time is 30 minutes a week. Secular instruction may not be timetabled while students from the class are attending SRI.'
5. Christianity is an important value system which underpins Australia's cultural and legal traditions
A Christian Religion Education instructor from Balwyn has stated, 'It is right for teaching about Christianity to be given a special place in our education system, for it has played an important role in shaping Australian society. Our values, laws, institutions, charities, literature and national history have all been strongly influenced by Christian beliefs and ideals. Kids today will be the better for understanding these things.'
Another CRE instructor from North Essendon has similarly stated, 'Christianity has a part in Australia's heritage, history and laws. Much of what makes our country a good place to live has come from individuals and groups who, because of their Christian faith, have sought to help those in need. Care, acceptance, compassion, and respect are values expressed in this work...
CRE explores and supports the values that our primary schools promote, that are important to our society, and is an asset to our children's education'
Access Ministries chairman Stephen Hale has likened Christian education to environment lessons, saying it was "not just about teaching things in a neutral way," but encouraging children to have an opinion and "be committed to doing something".
6. Many Australians support Special Religious Instruction in Victorian schools
Supporters of SRI argue that their program and their continued existence within Victorian state primary schools is well-established and accepted and that the pressure to remove them comes from a minority.
The number of students involved in the program has been used as evidence that it has substantial community support. Dr Evonne Paddison, the chief executive officer of ACCESS Ministries has stated, 'Over 130,000 students participated in some form of SRI in Victorian government schools last year. The ACCESS ministries CRE program operates in hundreds of schools across Victoria; our experience is that there is overwhelming acceptance of the CRE program in schools and communities from Wodonga to Warrnambool, from Mildura to Mallacoota, including those learning in Special Schools.'
Dr Paddison has further stated, 'The recent voices of opposition to the presence of the Christian CRE program do not come from non-Christian faiths; there is great respect and cooperation between the SRI providers, of all the faiths...We respect each other and our differences, and work cooperatively where we can. Much of the opposition to SRI is being voiced by Humanists.'
Further implications
Much of the current controversy appears to have been promoted by the Humanist Society of Victoria which has written to all state primary schools informing them that they do not have to offer religious instruction. The society has set up a website to collect views on the issue.
The Humanist Society of Victoria has also lodged a complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission on behalf of a group of parents who believe that the manner in which special religious instruction is given in Victoria is discriminatory. On April 15, 2011, The ABC's 7.30 (Victoria) reported that the case would be heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal later this year.
In 2008 it was reported that the Humanist Society of Victoria had developed a curriculum to give 30-minute lessons each week of humanist applied ethics to primary pupils. Accredited volunteers were to be trained to teach their philosophy in the class time designated for religious instruction. As with lessons delivered by faith groups, parents were to have been able to request that their children not participate.
In November 2010 the then Victorian Education Minister, Bronwyn Pike, declared that humanism could not be taught via the 'special religious instruction' provisions of the Victorian Education and Training Reform Act 2006, as humanism 'cannot be defined as a religion.'
The current debate may represent a further bid by the Humanist Society of Victoria to displace the religious instruction program offered by ACCESS Ministries with their own program. If that is the case it appears unlikely to be successful.
On April 8, 2011, the newly elected Baillieu government announced that it would increase the funding to ACCESS Ministries by $200,000 in the next budget. ACCESS Ministries currently receives approximately half its funding from government. The funding increase may be read as a vote of support for the work being done by ACCESS Ministries.
The results of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal's hearing of the Humanist Society of Victoria's appeal will be interesting. If the Tribunal finds in the Society's favour, this would seriously undermine the position of ACCESS Ministries.
New South Wales has this year begun an ethics program of the general type proposed by the Humanist Society of Victoria, taught by volunteers in the same way special religious instruction classes traditionally have been. The classes are available to students who choose not to take special religious instruction classes. Some years ago a bid to institute a similar program in Queensland could not attract sufficient political support.
The new National Curriculum to be implemented in all states at all levels has a substantial values component. Ultimately what may occur is that government schools cease to contract out their values education and develop an ethics and comparative religions course that can be taught by teachers they already employ.
Newspaper items used in the compilation of this issue outline
Herald-Sun: February 15, 2011, page 32, comment by Susie O'Brien, `Expel God from class'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/expel-god-from-class/story-fn56aaiq-1226005967355
The Age: March 24, 2011, page 3, news item by Barney Zwartz, `Religious study contested'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/religious-study-contested-20110323-1c6se.html
The Age: March 29, 2011, page 12, letters, incl, `The search for fulfilment / Misleading messages / Pointing to a better way / No place in our schools'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/the-search-for-fulfilment-20110328-1cdeh.html
The Age: March 27, 2011, page 1, news item by Michael Bachelard, `Backlash as God forced into schools'.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/backlash-as-god-forced-into-schools-20110326-1cb7c.html
The Age: March 27, 2011, page 12, letters, incl, `Church and state must be separate / Colonial ring to policy / Moral codes are cruel'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/church-and-state-must-be-separate-20110327-1cbtr.html
The Age: April 11, 2011, page 11, comment by Barney Zwartz, `Why Christianity should be taught, properly, in our schools'.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/why-christianity-should-be-taught-properly-in-our-schools-20110410-1d9bb.html
The Age: April 10, page 16, letters incl, `Double-think defence / As a Jewish child in a state school / Teach humanism instead / Have those who want RE opt in'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/doublethink-defence-20110409-1d8tu.html
The Age: April 10, page 5, news item by Michael Bachelard, `Anger at schools' Christian "bias"'.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/anger-at-schools-christian-bias-20110409-1d8kw.html
The Age: April 8, 2011, page 12, editorial, `RE must not be an exercise in faith'.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/editorial/re-must-not-be-an-exercise-in-faith-20110407-1d65e.html
The Age: April 8, 2011, page 5, news item by Jewel Topsfield, `Victoria to increase funds for Christian classes'.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-to-increase-funds-for-christian-classes-20110407-1d698.html
The Age: April 7, 2011, page 7, news item by Barney Zwartz, `Academics call for review of school religious teaching'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/academics-call-for-review-of-school-religious-teaching-20110406-1d4h5.html
The Age: April 5, 2011, page 12, letters, incl, `Secular approach good for us all / So, who made God? / We cannot ignore religion'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/secular-approach-good-for-us-all-20110404-1cyqn.html
The Age: April 4, 2011, page 11, comment by Jewel Topsfield, `The lesson for today is: let us get God out of the classroom'.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/let-us-get-god-out-of-the-classroom-20110403-1ct2t.html?comments=210
The Age: April 3, 2011, page 17, comment by Evonne Paddison, `Religious instruction teaches much more than faith'.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/religious-instruction-teaches-much-more-than-faith-20110402-1csfy.html
The Age: April 18, 2011, page 3, news item (photo) by Jewel Topsfield, `Call to teach students the ethos of all religions'.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/call-to-teach-students-the-ethos-of-all-religions-20110417-1djt3.html