Rise of religious classes in public schools questioned

(Sydney Morning Herald) – Segregating children based on religious faith, or for other classes, has detrimental effects and is at odds with the inclusive philosophy of public education.

Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic scripture classes are growing rapidly in NSW public schools, and students are on waiting lists for the popular ethics classes.

But as the popularity of the religious and ethics classes grows, some academics argue that segregating children based on religious faith, or for other classes, has detrimental effects and is at odds with the inclusive philosophy of public education.

Ethics classes, which started in 2011, had about 13,000 students this year, up from 8000 12 months ago.

About 250,000 students in NSW public schools get Christian religious education, with the largest providers coming from Catholic and Anglican churches.
The NSW Islamic scripture program teaches more than 22,000 Muslim students, up from 17,000 at the end of 2010. The number of students taking Hindu dharma classes has doubled in the past five years and is fast approaching 10,000. Judaism classes are attended by 2700 students.

Southern Cross University sociology of religion expert Cathy Byrne says segregation on religious grounds is outdated, inappropriate and educationally unsound.

”International research has shown children learn best about these ideas when they are given the opportunity to dialogue with others of their own age,” she said.

Dr Byrne said ethics classes have ”a fine and worthy intention” but ”even if you have a school that has ethics volunteers, you can still get the outrageous distribution of inappropriate fundamentalist and proselytising material”, she said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/rise-of-religious-classes-in-public-schools-questioned-20140301-33sq6.html#ixzz2uraQW7jp