Clarity sought on religion in schools

Brian Donnelly

A select committee is to be briefed about religion in schools, amid concern that the issue might be getting "muddied".

The briefing was sparked by a letter sent to the committee from parents upset that their child experienced some form of Christian teaching at school.

The parents were of a different faith and felt their child had been ill-treated in having "some Christian stuff imposed", said NZ First MP Brian Donnelly.

Mr Donnelly - who chairs the education and science committee that will receive the briefing from ministry officials - said the committee wanted to "get their heads around" the issue and that is why they requested the briefing tomorrow.

"I don't think there is a very strong desire to make changes or anything else, but there is a desire just to explore the ramifications of the issue," he said.

State primary schools are secular, which means they cannot teach religion.

However, the law allows for them to close classrooms for short periods of time for religious instruction, given by voluntary tutors.

State integrated schools and private schools have more freedom to teach religion, while state secondary schools can include some religious instruction.

Boards of trustees make decisions on what, if any, religious teaching takes place, and parents can request that their children are exempt.

However, there is concern in the education sector about grey areas in the role of religion.

For instance, sources said it was not clear where singing a hymn at a school assembly fitted into the equation.

Nor is it clear where the spiritual aspects of Maori culture fit in.

Mr Donnelly noted that while there is a secular system, there was also talk of addressing the "spirituality" of a child, and a need to recognise the "spiritual nature of Maori".

"The thing's becoming a little bit muddied," he said.

"We've just said let's get a briefing from the ministry to see what the issues are around this whole notion of secularity in schools."