From The ABC News website
Schools to make the call on chaplains
By Jeremy Thompson
September 07, 2011
Photo: The $222 million program has been under fire since being
announced in the budget. Jonathan Beal, file photo: ABC
Schools will be able to choose whether to employ chaplains or secular welfare officers under changes to the controversial chaplaincy program announced today.
The $222 million program has been under fire since being announced in the budget, with the Greens concerned that chaplains had to be attached to religious organisations and the scheme did not mandate minimum qualifications.
Now Education Minister Peter Garrett says schools will be given the option to choose a secular student welfare officer instead of a chaplain for student counselling.
He says minimum qualification standards will also be introduced, as well as improvements to the complaints management system.
Earlier this year the ABC raised concerns about the program, amid allegations that chaplains had been acting outside their guidelines and counselling children without being properly qualified to do so.
Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-07/changes-to-chaplaincy-program/2874876
