A question of faith: reforming religious education in schools

Last month, a Victorian tribunal found that the state department of education did not discriminate against children opting out of Special Religious Instruction (SRI) classes.

The plaintiffs – parents who chose to opt their children out of the classes – argued the students were treated differently, on religious grounds, and were not being offered proper instruction during SRI time.

The case has succeeded in creating public awareness of the flaws in the current system and in undermining the priority it gives to Christianity. But the victory is limited, and parents, educators, scholars and community leaders are continuing to call for improvements to SRI.

Reform is needed to create a more inclusive and equitable model of religious education.

Click on the link below to read the rest of my article recently published in The Conversation http://theconversation.edu.au/a-question-of-faith-reforming-religious-education-in-schools-10572

You can also read my earlier piece for The Conversation ‘Time for change: a new role for religion in education’ http://theconversation.edu.au/time-for-change-a-new-role-for-religion-in-education-6564