New push to SCRAP scripture lessons from public schools because they 'interrupt learning' and 'overload' teachers - leaving parents divided
- NSW Teachers Federation leads a campaign to scrap religious scripture classes
- It is calling on politicians to remove or move the studies to before or after school
- Teachers are overloaded on curriculum and need the extra hour, NSWPPA says
A teacher's union has called for the removal of scripture classes from public schools, saying they are 'inappropriate' and taking away from other subjects.
The New South Wales Teachers Federation is leading a campaign to scrap the weekly 30 to 60 minute studies, particularly throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
It is calling on politicians to reconsider and change the education act, or at least make it a before or after school option.
NSWTF president Angelo Gavrielatos told Daily Mail Australia religious education should occur outside of school hours as it was a private matter for parents and their children.
'School time is for teaching and learning, and special religious instruction should not be interrupting the crucial learning of students during the school day,' Mr Gavrielatos said.
The NSW Teachers Federation is leading a campaign to scrap the weekly 30 to 60 minute studies, particularly throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Students in class
NSWTF president Angelo Gavrielatos (pictured)told Daily Mail Australia religious education should occur outside of school hours as it was a private matter for parents and their children
'To do otherwise denies students valuable time necessary to ensure their educational needs can be met.'
NSW Primary Principals' Association vice president Michael Trist echoed Mr Gavrielatos' viewpoint and not because of anti-religious reasons - but because teachers were overloaded on the current curriculum.
'This is one area where we could save time,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'We are not anti-church. We see value in kids being involved in religious instruction but we would rather have it become a before or after school option.
'We'd be happy for church groups to use facilities on school groups during these hours, just like soccer or swimming teams.'
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NSWPPA vice president Michael Trist echoed Mr Gavrielatos' viewpoint and not because of anti-religious reasons - but because teachers were overloaded on the current curriculum. Picture: Primary students at school
Another motivator for the campaign includes students unwilling to partake in scripture or ethics classes being forced to read a book or do homework while studies take place.
Teachers are unable to teach other subjects while these classes are underway, which Mr Trist said was 'problematic'.
'Teachers could really use the extra 30 to 60 minutes each week,' he said.
Their comments followed Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery sharing the campaign on Facebook, and posing the question of whether scripture should be scrapped from the curriculum.
Her post received hundreds of likes and more than 800 comments in a matter of hours, with some saying it was 'important' and others saying labeling it as unacceptable.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery shared the campaign on Facebook (pictured) on Tuesday - posing the question of whether scripture should be scrapped from the curriculum
Ms Hornery's post (pictured) received hundreds of likes and more than 800 comments in hours, with some saying it was 'important' and others saying labeling it as unacceptable
'The current system of non qualified religious 'advocates' having access to our children without parent or teacher supervision is not acceptable. Children do need to learn about religion (as well as tolerance etc) but by a qualified teacher,' one comment under the post read.
'I'm not for or against Scripture but I do think it's not appropriate at school in this day and age,' another said.
'Religious studies as a subject would be great, only if it covers all religions and different faith,' a third comment read.
NSWTF member Jack Galvin-Waight told NBN Television key stakeholders - NSWAAP, NSW Secondary Principals' Council and 'parents and citizens groups' - just wanted the extra hour for teaching.
'Our members tell us there's inappropriate comments made about homosexuals and multicultural matters and so on, and that's really alarming,' he said on Monday.
NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge added: 'It is time to get these outdated classes out of the public schools and leave religious instruction and indoctrination outside school hours.'
