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Background
The idea for an ethics-based course as an alternative to scripture classes developed from parent demand. In 2003, a group of parents along with the NSW Federation of P&C Associations approached the St James Ethics Centre to create a specialised course. The St James Ethics Centre presented the idea to then Premier the Hon Bob Carr MP, who referred the request to then Minister for Education Andrew Refshauge. He indicated there was not sufficient demand from the community to justify introduction of this type of course.
AÂ survey conducted in 2004 by the NSW Federation of P&C Associations indicated otherwise. The parent community showed there was strong and widespread support for an ethics-based course as an option for children not attending scripture classes. With this new research evidence, the NSW Federation of P&C Associations together with St James Ethics Centre again presented the idea for an ethics-based course to then Education Minister Carmel Tebbett. Surprisingly, and despite overwhelming community support, the idea was again rejected.
In 2009, a draft curriculum for an ethics-based course was presented to both the then Premier, Nathan Rees and the Education Minister, Verity Firth. They approved the proposal to conduct a pilot program for an ethics–based course complement to scripture in 10 NSW public primary schools which is currently being trialled (term 2, 2010).
For more details about the background to the development of the ethics course, read http://www.ethics.org.au/living-ethics/towards-ethics-based-complement-scripture-nsw-primary-schools
Latest Media Articles
- Apr 22Barclay Crawford: the Bible can teach our children the essential lessons of life
- Mar 14Scripture Versus Ethics in Public Schools – ABC Radio National
- Mar 13MEDIA RELEASE – Overwhelming support for continuation of ethics classes
- Mar 13David Hill and Marie Ficarra on Adam Spencer’s show – ABC Sydney 702
- Mar 7Radio National’s Law Report on Action by Vic Parents on School SRE
- Feb 29Bloodyminded Bible bashing of ethical choices
- Feb 25Cannibals on menu for MPs’ odd day
- Feb 25‘Scrutiny unfair’: parents group blasts inquiry into school ethics classes
- Feb 24Cannibals considered in school ethics inquiry
- Nov 12Inquiry threatens ethics class experiment
Who are we?
parents4ethics is a group of parents who share a common view that children not attending Special Religious Education (SRE) classes should be provided with an alternative. parents4ethics demand an end to discrimination in the public education system, where children who opt out of SRE classes are not allowed education or instruction on ethics, morals, values, or religions.