Submitted by Graham
From The Newcastle Herald
Ethics divide in Hunter classes
By Alison Branley
03 Sep, 2011
AN ideological divide has emerged in the Hunter, with coastal schools taking up new ethics classes and western schools favouring a school chaplain program.
Data shows that the 12 Hunter schools that offered new ethics classes this year are in coastal areas that stretch from Coal Point to Shoal Bay.
Ethics classes are an alternative to scripture classes already offered at the schools.
Upper house Christian Democrats MP Fred Nile tried last month to repeal the legislation allowing ethics classes in school.
Fifty-one Hunter schools are participating in the federal government’s School Chaplaincy Program.
The schools are in a mix of suburbs across the region but many are inland.
The school chaplaincy program has become the subject of a High Court challenge from a Queensland father who says it violates the constitution because it imposes a religious test as a requirement for a Commonwealth office.
Full Article: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/ethics-divide-in-hunter-classes/2279304.aspx
Note: Another story that regrettably blurs the lines between the NSCP and scripture class issues.
