General information - provisions for Religious Instruction
What religious instruction can be provided in State schools?
There are two types of religious instruction that can be provided in State schools. These are:
- religious instruction provided by a faith group that has right-of-entry into the school to students who are members of that faith group; and
- selected Bible lessons which may be provided by Education Queensland to all students in primary and special schools.
Why can religious instruction occur during school hours in state schools?
The Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 provides for religious instruction to be delivered in school hours. The Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 outlines the processes for the delivery of religious instruction.
What is a faith group?
A faith group is a religion (e.g. Baha'i), a religious denomination (e.g. Anglican) or a religious society (e.g. The Religious Society of Friends).
How does a faith group gain right-of-entry into a school?
The local religious leader of the faith group asks the principal if there are students who are members of the faith group in attendance at the school. The principal issues the religious leader with a letter to confirm or deny the faith group's right-of-entry into the school.
What arrangements can faith groups make for the delivery of religious instruction?
There are two types of arrangements faith groups can make to deliver religious instruction. These are
- a single arrangement
- a cooperative arrangement
What is a single arrangement for religious instruction?
A single arrangement is where the approved instructors of a particular faith group provide instruction to the children who are members of that faith group. Other students who have parental consent can also attend the program of instruction.
What is a cooperative arrangement for religious instruction?
A cooperative arrangement is where two or more religious leaders, with members at the school, elect to combine their faith groups and agree to provide a joint program of instruction. Students who are members of any of the participating faith groups attend this program. Other students who have parental consent may also attend.
Schools will facilitate this arrangement in accordance with information provided on the Signatories to Cooperative Agreement (Form E) which is in the religious instruction policy.
What is a Cooperative Agreement?
A Cooperative Agreement is the written document that states the shared aims, guidelines and expectations of all faith groups participating in a cooperative arrangement at a school. A religious leader who has entered into a Cooperative Agreement retains responsibility for accrediting representatives of the particular faith group who become approved instructors.
Who decides what is taught by a faith group during religious instruction?
The religious leader of the faith group decides the program of instruction which is delivered by approved instructors. If the faith group is a member of a cooperative arrangement for religious instruction, then the program of instruction is agreed to by all participating religious leaders.
What is the length of time allocated for religious instruction?
Principals decide the day, time and duration that religious instruction classes operate each week. These classes can be no more than an hour a week. However, in some schools in rural and remote settings the allocation may accumulate over time based on the availability of an instructor and with the agreement of the principal.
A principal must consult with and have the agreement of all religious leaders with right-of-entry to the school to arrange any variation from weekly religious instruction classes. A decision to have religious instruction in a block of time each term requires the support of all faith groups entitled to deliver religious instruction at the school.
Approved instructors should receive advance notice of any variations to these days or times due to organisation of school events or activities.
What is the relationship between Chaplaincy Services and religious instruction?
Chaplaincy Services do not include the conduct of religious instruction. Religious instruction is only provided by approved instructors of faith groups which have right-of-entry to the school. The role of a chaplain is fundamentally different to the role of a religious instructor and each role is governed by its own policies and procedures.
When can a chaplain provide religious instruction?
A chaplain employed in a school may perform both the role of chaplain, providing a chaplaincy program, and religious instructor.
A chaplain is able to deliver religious instruction during the time allocated for religious instruction if s/he becomes an approved instructor of a faith group which has right-of-entry to the school.
Chaplains may not deliver religious instruction as part of the chaplaincy program, but may deliver religious instruction as part of the religious instruction program.
Principals need to advise their parent body and school community of arrangements relating to the chaplaincy and religious instruction programs and, if relevant, the involvement of the chaplain in the delivery of religious instruction.
What documents guide the delivery of religious instruction?
The Religious Instruction in School Hours policy, available on the departmental Education Policy and Procedures Register, provides guidance to principals and members of faith groups about how religious instruction should be delivered in State schools. The policy has a number of proformas to assist the administration of religious instruction.
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