The New South Wales education minister has suggested she was unaware of allegations of caste being taught in Hindu scripture classes in public schools, despite the Rationalist Society of Australia having directly raised the matter with her.

Appearing at a budget estimates hearing in parliament this week, Prue Car (pictured) faced questions about claims that children were being seated according to caste hierarchical order as part of the Special Religious Education (SRE) program.

Asked by Greens MP Abigail Boyd whether the issue had been brought to her attention, Minister Car said: “No.”

She added: “That would greatly concern me. Sorry, I think that’s absolutely something that would concern me if it was brought to my attention.”

Yet, in early October last year, RSA Executive Director Si Gladman wrote to Ms Car (see letter below), raising concerns about the teaching of the caste-based discrimination system in SRE and asking whether the government would investigate.

Then, in late October, the state Department of Education responded to the RSA and said it was doing so under the direction of the minister (see letter below).

At Tuesday’s budget estimates hearing, Ms Boyd also asked Minister Car about the teaching of anti-science and anti-evolution materials in Christian SRE classes – a topic which the RSA has been raising with Minister Car since early 2023 after discovering curriculum materials that promoted the creation myth and questioned evolution.

Previously, in response to both issues – of the teaching of caste, and of anti-science and anti-evolution materials – Minister Car and the Department of Education have wiped their hands of any responsibility, saying it was up to religious organisations to authorise the materials and pedagogy used in SRE.

At budget estimates, Ms Boyd asked whether Minister Car thought the department should have a role in addressing the divisive content being taught in SRE.

“We welcome all faiths within our public schools, and SRE is an important part of our ability to do that,” replied Minister Car.

“Principals work with the SRE providers on a case-by-case basis. If there are examples of concern, then we would need to follow it up with that principal and that SRE provider.

“I think that if there is a concern from the community at that school, the principal would address that with the SRE provider and the parents.”

When it originally contacted Minister Car about the teaching of caste in Hindu SRE, the RSA detailed the allegations made by members of the Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia group, and published in a report by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia. In the report – developed as part of community consultations for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework – community members raised their “vehement objection” to the way Hindu SRE classes were being run. 

Members of the group claimed that the provider of Hindu scripture was sending instructors from the upper caste and that they were arranging children to sit according to the caste hierarchical order.

Speaking today, Mr Gladman called for Minister Car to clarify whether she had known about the allegations regarding the teaching of caste. He said it was inexcusable for the government to show such disinterest in the content being delivered in SRE classes.

“Most parents and carers in New South Wales would be dismayed that the Minns government allows religious missionaries to take over public school classrooms during normal learning time, segregate children based on religious lines, and halt the learning of non-participating kids, with the instructors given carte blanche to teach whatever divisive and nonsensical anti-science materials they like,” he said.

“Many people would find it quite disturbing if SRE instructors were teaching caste-based discrimination in public school classrooms and the government was doing nothing about it.

“The failure to provide any real oversight of what is being taught in SRE is just another reason why the New South Wales government needs to follow Victoria’s policy of moving the scripture program to outside normal learning time.”

In 2017, the New South Wales government pledged to implement new accountability measures after a review of the SRE program found examples of inappropriate content being taught to children.

Minister Car has continued to back SRE despite collapsing participation rates forcing many children to miss out on learning time and despite increasing demands for reform from key public education stakeholders and parents and carers.

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 to Minister Car, 1 October 2024

Dear Minister Car,

I’m writing to you on behalf of the Rationalist Society of Australia in regards to claims of caste discrimination being taught in Hindu Special Religious Education (SRE) classes in New South Wales’ public schools.

Earlier this year, the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) produced a report based on information gathered in focus groups discussions with 27 members of the Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia (PATCA) group. The report was developed as part of community consultations for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework.

The report details a number of claims, including:

• the core SRE curriculum is designed by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and “offers a systematic introduction of the hierarchical segregation between the upper castes and the low caste”;
• scripture class trainers sent by the VHP are upper-caste people;
• the seating arrangement for children attending Hindu SRE is based on caste hierarchical order;
• there is a rise in caste-based bullying in schools.

Minister Car, can you confirm whether the New South Wales government has – or will – investigate these claims?

We are deeply concerned that the New South Wales government’s continued support for allowing Special Religious Education (SRE) during normal learning time – with children segregated along religious lines – creates division and disunity among children, parents and school communities.

We urge your government to follow the example of Victoria and move SRE classes to out of normal class hours. This would allow those who want to participate in SRE to freely do so without interrupting the learning of all non-participating students – who are increasing in number and, at many schools, now forming the majority of the student population.

Regards,
Si Gladman

Executive Director,

Rationalist Society of Australia

Letter from Department of Education, 21 October 2024

Dear Mr Gladman

I write in response to your email of 1 October 2024, to the Hon Prue Car MP, Deputy Premier, and Minister for Education and Early Learning, regarding Special Religious Education in NSW public schools. The Deputy Premier has asked me to respond on her behalf.

The NSW Government is supportive of, and committed to, Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics in line with Section 32 and 33A of the Education Act 1990.

It is the responsibility of an approved provider to authorise the materials and pedagogy used by their teachers. It is also the approved providers responsibility to make their curriculum scope and sequence(s) accessible publicly and in sufficient detail for parents/carers to be able to understand what is covered in lessons. 

Bullying and cyberbullying are not acceptable in NSW Public Schools. Students are required, to the best of their ability, to follow the Behaviour Code for Students, including not to bully, harass, intimidate or discriminate against anyone in our schools. The Behaviour Code for Student can be found at https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2006-0316-01

NSW public schools develop and implement a School Behaviour Support and Management Plan in line with the Student Behaviour policy, which identify strategies and resources to prevent and respond to behaviours of concern, including bullying and cyber-bullying. More information can be found at https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2006-0316.

The department has established ongoing consultation with faith leaders and introduced a helpline for students, families, staff and communities who experience or witness religious bullying or intolerance in NSW Public Schools as part of the election commitment to tackle religious intolerance and bullying. Students, families and community members can reach the helpline by calling 1300 679 332 and letting the operator know they are calling about religious bullying or intolerance.

If you would like any further information about Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics, you are welcome to visit the Department’s website at https://education.nsw.gov.au/religion-and-ethics or contact the department’s Program Manager – Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics, Curriculum Early Years and Primary Learners, by telephone on 7814 2353 or email at religion.ethics@det.nsw.edu.au.

Yours sincerely

James Hoffman

A/Director, Curriculum Primary Learners

21 October 2024