Non-religious students who are bullied because they do not participate in the Special Religious Education (SRE) program in New South Wales’ public schools can report these incidents to the Religious Intolerance Helpline.
In a letter to the Rationalist Society of Australia, the state’s education department has confirmed that all members of school communities who experience or witness bullying or intolerance “due to religion, faith, beliefs and spirituality” can utilise the new helpline.
In December, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman sought answers from the education department after media reports and faith leaders praised the introduction of the hotline as a way to combat religious intolerance. He directly asked whether non-religious students who were the target of religious-based bullying could utilise the helpline.
Mr Gladman noted that non-religious and ex-religious students were often the target of religious-based bullying, especially as a result of the practice of segregating students along religious lines due to the imposition of Special Religious Education (SRE) classes during normal learning time.
“Throughout the lifetime of the SRE program, we have heard numerous accounts of non-SRE students being bullied by taunts that, for example, they are ‘sinners’ and would be going to hell and ‘burning in hell’,” he wrote.
“It is worth noting that children who exercise their freedom of thought and conscience in rejecting religion – especially children who are ex-Muslim or have ex-Muslim parents or guardians – often put themselves at great risk of threatening, bullying and abusive behaviour by religious people.”
Mr Gladman also asked whether the department had investigated the extent of religious-based bullying directed at “non-SRE” and non-religious students in public schools.
In response, Rustum Abdurahman, Relieving Executive Director for Educational Standards, said the department recognised the “importance of ensuring equitable and inclusive practices for all students” during the delivery of SRE.
“Schools are required to ensure that students not attending SRE or SEE [Special Education in Ethics] are provided with age-appropriate, non-curricular activities that are inclusive and respectful of all students’ choices,” he said.
“Principals and staff are supported with guidance to manage these processes effectively and sensitively, aiming to prevent any feelings of exclusion.”
At a gathering of scripture providers and faith organisations in November, education minister Prue Car repeated the Minns government’s commitment to the SRE program, despite mounting opposition from parents and carers, declining participation rates and calls from education stakeholder for SRE to be moved to outside class hours.
“I want to be very clear that our government is strongly committed to SRE in our public schools. It has been an integral part of our public school system for many, many years. It represents a partnership between schools and local communities,” she said.
“For all of our students, SRE is an opportunity to connect with faith and culture. It reflects our diverse beliefs and the many very different places from which we all come from to now call Australia home.”
As reported by the RSA, Minister Car previously ruled out following Victoria’s lead of moving SRE to outside normal learning time.
The Rationalist Society of Australia is actively lobbying for secular reform of scripture programs in public schools. If you want to support our work, please make a donation or become a member.
Si Gladman is Executive Director of the Rationalist Society of Australia. He also hosts ‘The Secular Agenda’ podcast.
Image: Prue Car (Facebook)
Letter from NSW education department, 6 January 2025
Dear Si Gladman,
I write in response to your correspondence of 7 December 2024, to the Hon Prue Car MP, Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Education and Early Learning, regarding religious-based bullying in NSW public schools. The Deputy Premier has asked me to respond on her behalf.
The department takes all bullying seriously and responds in accordance with our Student behaviour policy. Specific incidents of religious bullying or intolerance in public schools should be reported to the school in the first instance, or the Religious intolerance helpline. Further information about bullying for students and for parents and carers is available online.
Students in NSW public schools are required to follow the Behaviour Code for Students, to the best of their ability. This includes being respectful and inclusive and to not bully, harass or intimidate anyone in our schools. All schools outline how they identify, prevent and respond to student bullying in their School Behaviour Support and Management Plan, which will be developed, published and implemented by Term 1, 2025.
Religious bullying and intolerance includes bullying or intolerance related to all belief systems, including non-religious beliefs. The religious intolerance helpline is available to all members of the school community who experience or witness bullying or intolerance due to religion, faith, beliefs and spirituality.
We recognise the importance of ensuring equitable and inclusive practices for all students during the delivery of Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE). These programs are offered in accordance with the Education Act 1990, which provides parents and carers with the right to decide whether their children participate in SRE or SEE or engage in alternative meaningful activities.
Schools are required to ensure that students not attending SRE or SEE are provided with age-appropriate, non-curricular activities that are inclusive and respectful of all students’ choices. Principals and staff are supported with guidance to manage these processes effectively and sensitively, aiming to prevent any feelings of exclusion.
If specific concerns about the management of SRE/SEE processes arise, they can be addressed at the school level or raised with our Religion and Ethics team at religion.ethics@det.nsw.edu.au.
Thank you for your commendation of the NSW Government’s intention to develop a statewide approach to address bullying in New South Wales schools. We want to reassure you that bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
Should you require any further information, you may wish to contact Tyrone Jandey, Principal Project Officer, Educational Standards.
Yours sincerely
Rustum Abdurahman
Relieving Executive Director, Educational Standards
RSA letter to Minister Car and education department, 7 December 2024
Dear Minister / Department of Education,
We commend the Minns government’s intention to counter bullying in New South Wales’ public schools (as per reporting in The Australian last month).
However, we would appreciate it if the government could address questions we have about religious-based bullying in the state’s public schools and, in particular, the new ‘religious intolerance helpline’.
Regarding the government’s introduction of the ‘religious intolerance helpline’ – which has been praised by faith leaders – the government website describes ‘religious bullying or intolerance’ as occurring when:
…someone is mean, unfair or treats others differently because of their religion, faith, belief, or spirituality.
Non-religious and ex-religious students are often the target of religious-based bullying, especially as a result of the practice of segregating students along religious lines due to the imposition of Special Religious Education (SRE) classes during normal learning time.
Throughout the lifetime of the SRE program, we have heard numerous accounts of “non-SRE” students being bullied by taunts that, for example, they are “sinners” and would be going to hell and “burning in hell”.
It is worth noting that children who exercise their freedom of thought and conscience in rejecting religion – especially children who are ex-Muslim or have ex-Muslim parents or guardians – often put themselves at great risk of threatening, bullying and abusive behaviour by religious people.
Can you confirm whether non-religious students who are the target of religious-based bullying are able to utilise the ‘religious intolerance helpline’?
If so, has, or will, the availability of this helpline to non-religious students be promoted?
Has the department received complaints of religious-based bullying by students participating in SRE classes – i.e. bullying directed towards non-participating and non-religious students?
Has the department investigated the extent of religious-based bullying directed at “non-SRE” and non-religious students in public schools?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Si Gladman
Executive Director,
Rationalist Society of Australia