Emergency notice

This policy is current as at 24/01/2020 09:44pm, AEDT. Please refer to policy library website (https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library) for an updated version.

Religious Education Policy

This policy outlines requirements and responsibilities for matters relating to general religious education and special religious education.

1. Policy statement

1.1 Schools are to allow for religious education of two distinct types: general religious education and special religious education.

1.2 Schools are to provide meaningful activities for students whose parents have withdrawn them from special religious education. Where it is reasonably practicable and requested by a parent/caregiver, this may include the option of special education in ethics.

1.3 Curriculum for general religious education is provided as part of the Board of Studies NSW syllabuses. Curriculum for special religious education is developed and implemented by approved providers.

2. Audience and applicability

2.1 This policy applies to all schools, Department officers and providers of special religious education.

3. Context

3.1 Education Act 1990, Sections 26, 30, 31, 32 and 33 and 33A.

3.2 Rawlinson Committee Report Religion in Education in NSW Government Schools (1980) recommendations 36-72 that were adopted by the government of the day as an agreement between the churches and the government for the provision of special religious education.

3.3 Inquiry into Education Amendment (Ethics Classes Repeal) Bill 2012 Final Report.

4. Responsibilities and delegations

4.1. School principals

4.1.1 Allowing for general religious education and special religious education in schools.

4.2 Directors Public Schools NSW

4.2.1 Monitoring of the implementation of general religious education and special religious education in schools.

4.2.2 Resolution of implementation issues between the school, its community and providers of special religious education as outlined in this policy and its implementation procedures.

4.3 NSW Department of Education and Communities Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education

4.3.1 Provision of advice on the policy and its implementation through the Director, Early Learning and Primary Education.

4.3.2 Consideration of new developments and approaches to special religious education.

4.4 Director, Early Learning and Primary Education

4.4.1 Provision of curriculum support for general religious education.

4.4.2 Provision of executive support for the NSW Department of Education and Communities Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education and acting as Chairperson.

4.4.3 Provision of advice to the Department on the policy and its implementation.

4.4.4 Provision of administrative support for special religious education, including:

receiving and processing submissions for the approval of a religious persuasion to teach special religious education.
maintaining of the list of approved providers.
procuring annual assurances from approved providers regarding the screening of special religious education teachers.4.5Policy contact person (refer 6)4.5.1Provision of advice on the interpretation and implementation of the policy.4.5.2Acting as Executive Officer for the NSW Department of Education and Communities Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education.4.5.3Liaison with local Department officers on matters relating to religious education.

5. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements

5.1 The Director, Early Learning and Primary Education will monitor the implementation of this policy and will report as required to the Public Schools Executive Group.

6. Contact

6.1 Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics Officer, 02 9244 5484 srecontact@det.nsw.edu.au

Staff

Students

Other users

All users