Push to expand religious teaching

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This was published 12 years ago

Push to expand religious teaching

By Jewel Topsfield

THE Christian group that teaches the controversial religious education program in Victorian government schools has announced a five-year ''mission'' to extend its reach into independent schools.

Access Ministries chief executive Evonne Paddison said more and more parents were choosing to send their children to independent schools.

Access Ministries chief executive Evonne Paddison.

Access Ministries chief executive Evonne Paddison.

''We feel we have a mandate to work with all children in Victoria. Those poor independent schoolchildren - I don't want them to miss out,'' Dr Paddison told a meeting called to celebrate Christian religious education in schools in the face of a ''concerted attack'' on Access Ministries.

''In the next five years Access Ministries … will become the peak provider of CRE (Christian religious education) in independent schools, not just in state schools.''

However, bodies representing independent schools and teachers said religious education was already taught in the schools, most of which were faith-based.

''This shows a lack of understanding of what is already existing in individual independent schools,'' said Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Michelle Green.

The chaplain of Melbourne Grammar, Reverend Dr Ron Noone, said independent schools offered broad religious education taught by professional teachers, rather than the ''confessional'' style of Christianity taught by Access Ministries' volunteers. ''Access Ministries look for conversion - their understanding of Christian education is to get disciples,'' Dr Noone said.

Victorian Independent Education Union secretary Deb James said: ''If they were going to displace the religious instruction already in place, I think that would be very, very worrying.''

Volunteers from Access Ministries provide 96 per cent of the special religious instruction provided in government schools.

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Critics have raised concerns the program is taught by volunteers rather than teachers, that the curriculum represents a narrow, conservative approach to Christianity and that some volunteers try to convert children, which the guidelines forbid.

In May, the federal and state governments announced an investigation into Access Ministries after a recording emerged of Dr Paddison telling a 2008 conference: ''We need to go and

make disciples,'' which appeared to breach the ban on proselytising.

Access Ministries insists it does not proselytise. It has pointed out that teachers, who sit in on the lessons, would raise the alarm if anyone breached the guidelines.

Dr Paddison told yesterday's meeting that despite the ''attacks and opposition'' there was much to celebrate. ''Already over 100 schools principals have registered with us wanting chaplains for their schools - isn't that amazing?'' Dr Paddison said.

''Yes, there has been a concerted attack on Access Ministries (but) we are not embittered and we are not in retreat.''

Dr Paddison said Access Ministries' five-year ''vision and mission'' also included doubling the number of chaplains in Australian schools from 300 to 600, and creating a chaplaincy and well-being training institute, using the $800,000 over four years the Victorian Government provided in the budget.

Dr Paddison said Access Ministries would also establish a foundation to ensure its financial stability and future growth. ''This is a great ministry and we don't want to be dependent on the whims and changes of politicians,'' she said.

Access Ministries chairman Stephen Hale told the meeting that over the past four months ''we've been tested by fire''.

''The reality is despite this public campaign over the last few months, the Education Department of Victoria have received no complaints that have been substantiated in relation to the provision of religious education in state schools - not one,'' Bishop Hale said.

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