By Murray Norman
There is much misinformation about special religious education, or SRE, in NSW public schools, propagated primarily by those who are anti-religion and have an ideological agenda to force their views onto the majority of Australians.
Yes, the majority. Despite Australians becoming less religious, the latest census data tells us that 70 per cent of Australians still identify with a religious faith. This majority are afforded the freedom to not only practice that faith but encourage their children to adhere to the values and principles of that teaching.
No one is forced to follow a religion in this country, and likewise no parent is forced to enrol their child in SRE, which is an opt-in program offered to students for only 30 minutes a week for around 30 to 35 weeks of each year. Yet where SRE is offered in NSW primary schools, 2016 Education Department review found, 71 per cent of parents choose to opt-in.
Education is holistic, and spirituality is enshrined in Australia's educational objectives. Few would disagree that sport, music, outings, camps and many other activities are part of the overall learning experience. SRE, which offers a safe place for students to discuss matters of faith and spirituality in a way that is consistent with their family’s beliefs, is equally important to those who choose to participate.
Primary school students who don’t attend SRE can enrol in ethics classes and these are expected to be available to high school students soon.
Where ethics is not offered (as is the case currently in high schools) students do reading, revision or homework. To those who seek to imply that this time is wasted I ask, how can a half an hour of personal study time be in any way negative to a student?
There are many times in a school year when students not participating in various events do alternative activities or personal study. SRE is singled out not because of a legitimate educational reason, but due to anti-faith ideology.
So what are the benefits of SRE to students and society?
A recent study by Professor Zehavit Gross from Bar-Ilan University Israel (where she is the UNESCO Chair in Education for Human Values, Tolerance and Peace) and Professor Emerita Suzanne Rutland from the University of Sydney found that SRE: values education; facilitates children’s health and wellbeing; enriches religious diversity leading to a thick multiculturalism; strengthens students’ culture and identity and; creates a "safe place" in the face of racism and prejudice.
The direct link between SRE and positive benefits of multiculturalism in resolving cross-cultural conflict is significant in this age of religious extremism and division. SRE is taught across all faiths and children are taught to respect each other regardless of differences.
The school is an important place to help erase racial tension, promote wellbeing and explore the values that come from faith. Australians understand this, with a recent survey from McCrindle Research finding that almost 80 per cent of Australians believe that “schools should be a safe place for students to explore deeper questions of faith and belief”.
Murray Norman is the chief executive of Christian SRE and spokesperson for all-faiths SRE.
Continue the conversation at our SMH Student Facebook group.