Religious instruction will be scrapped from the curriculum of Victorian schools from next year and replaced with education about building respectful relationships, the government announced on Friday.
The new relationships education program will be taught by qualified teachers and aims to help children understand global cultures and traditions, recognise and prevent family violence, and appreciate and understand diversity.
Special religious instruction, currently taught during school hours by volunteers, will be moved out of regular class times, freeing 30 minutes a week for the new program.
The education minister, James Merlino, said about 20% of primary school students took part in religious instruction, while the remaining students occupied themselves with other activities, such as reading.
“You can’t have 20% of school kids undertaking special religious education, while the other children are not getting teaching or learning, during precious curriculum time,” he told ABC radio on Friday morning.
“I understand that some people are going to be upset by this decision, but it’s the right thing to do.”
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