Amy Remeikis reports in the Brisbane Times (28.2.16) on a proposal to remove religious instruction sessions from Queensland state schools’ weekly curriculum time. This, along with the current Safe Schools anti-bullying program debate, has prompted counter arguments from the Australian Christian Lobby, and comment from the state’s Education Minister.
‘While the Safe Schools LGBTI resources debate rages on, a new Queensland group has turned the focus on religious instruction in state schools and whether it still has a place.
‘Under the Education General Provisions Act, Queensland’s state schools make available up to one hour of curriculum time a week for the provision of religious instruction to students.
‘Parents can withdraw their child from the class by writing to the principal, with most objectors granted a free study period instead.
‘With concerns growing the State’s curriculum is overcrowded, the Secular Public Education group believe they have one solution – scrap religious education from being taught during schools hours.’