Implementing religious instruction

Considerations for principals establishing and implementing religious instruction

The following are key areas for consideration when establishing and implementing religious instruction (RI) in a school.

This is a guide only and other considerations may be important for your school community.

Communication

• Information on RI should be made available on the school's website, social media, newsletter and/or parent handbook. This information is regularly reviewed for accuracy.
• Parents are provided with information on RI available at the school when they are completing the student enrolment application, including generic information.
• Principals should provide information on all available RI options at their school to all parents of students entering the first year in which RI becomes available. This information should be provided at the beginning of the school year.
• Information about faith groups and the RI they deliver can be accessed from the Queensland Multi-Faiths RI network website.
• Newsletter articles, school websites and general parental information relating to RI must comply with the advertising and sponsorship procedures. They must not contain any argument about religion or beliefs, or promote one religion or faith denomination over another.

Timing

• A time for RI is allocated and the religious instruction coordinator is informed.

Placement process

• Students (excluding Prep) are allocated to either RI or other instruction based on information in the student enrolment application, unless parents have provided another form of written consent.
• Religious instruction coordinators are provided with the necessary data, including relevant numbers and names of participating students at each year level, to plan and schedule delivery of the authorised program. Such information is not to leave school grounds unless it is de-identified (first names only).

Approval of religious instructors

• Applications (form 1: single/cooperative arrangement and religious instructor approval from religious leaders to provide religious instruction in a school are considered and filed appropriately.
• Form 2: religious instructor approval is issued to each applying faith group if appropriate.
• A religious instruction coordinator is nominated for each single and/or cooperative arrangement.
• At the start of each year only approved religious instructors retain authorisation to deliver RI.
• Processes to withdraw approval of a religious instructor are initiated where conduct is inappropriate.

Induction of religious instructors and religious instruction coordinators

• Religious instructors' blue cards (or exemption) are sighted to ensure currency. Note: The frequency exemption does not apply to religious instructors.
• Student protection training, code of conduct training and school-based induction are provided and training dates noted in accredited representatives Training Register in form 1: single/cooperative arrangement and religious instructor approval.

Authorised program

• Authorised programs of RI are reviewed to ensure they do not contravene legislation or departmental procedures, and are made available to the school community on request.
• Authorised programs of RI may be reviewed to ensure they are developmentally appropriate for the intended target audience and feedback provided to the religious instruction coordinator.
• Separate learning spaces are allocated for each RI program (not in the same room).
• School staff are allocated to supervise each group of students.

Monitoring

• A register is maintained of the religious instructors who attend the school with the dates and times of their attendance.
• Complaints relating to student protection are managed using the student protection procedure.
• Complaints related to RI (excluding student protection complaints) are managed using the customer complaints management procedure (PDF, 189KB).
• Queries, complaints or concerns relating to RI are shared with the relevant religious instruction coordinator as appropriate.
• The process to withdraw a religious instructor's approval is managed by
  • providing the religious instructor and religious instruction coordinator with written notice of matters of concern and inviting either a written response, or arranging a meeting to discuss issues and providing an oral response
  • establishing in writing, if necessary, a process to resolve the issues of concern with the consent of the religious instructor and religious instruction coordinator
  • if not satisfied with the response provided by the religious instructor and religious instruction coordinator, withdrawing approval of the religious instructor until the issues are resolved. Provide written notice of this decision to the religious instructor and religious instruction coordinator.