❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the provision of General and Special Religious Education in public schools (both independent and non-independent) in Western Australia between 2011 and 2014, including details on providers and volunteer authorisation processes.
AnsweredQoN 1949Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively, how many non-independent public schools in Western Australia conducted the following programs: (a) General Religious Education; and (b) Special Religious Education? (2) In 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively, how many independent public schools in Western Australia conducted the following programs: (a) General Religious Education; and (b) Special Religious Education? (3) In 2013, what groups conducted Special Religious Education in public schools, and how many schools did each teach at? (4) As at 25 February 2014, how many groups are authorised to provide Special Religious Education in Public Schools? (5) As at 25 February 2014, how many volunteers are authorised to provide Special Religious Education in Public Schools? (6) What is the process the Department undertakes to ensure volunteers are authorised to teach in Public School?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2014
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Education
Response time
49 days
(1)(a) It is difficult to determine how many as Western Australian public schools, in collaboration with their communities, set their own strategic directions and make curriculum decisions that best cater for their students, and this information is not held centrally.
Year
Number of schools
2011
117
2012
83
2013
71
(1)(b)
(2)(a) It is difficult to determine how many as Independent Public Schools, in collaboration with their communities, set their own strategic directions and make curriculum decisions that best cater for their students, and this information is not held centrally.
(2)(b)
Year
Number of schools
2011
9
2012
15
2013
26
These cumulative figures align with each new Independent Public School intake.
(3) The Christian Religious Education (CRE) program conducted Special Religious Education (SRE) in 99 schools and the Baha'i Special Religious Education program also conducted SRE in 16 of those schools.
(4) Two: the Christian Religious Education (CRE) program and the Baha'i Special Religious Education program.
(5) It is difficult to provide numbers for February 2014 as YouthCARE registration processes do not conclude until April 2014. At the end of 2013, the number of volunteers was: CRE; 365 and Baha'i; 32.
(6) All Special Religious Education volunteers are screened, trained and endorsed by their faith group, and all screening processes must include
Working with Children
checks. As part of a Churches Commission Service Agreement with the Department of Education, YouthCARE screens, trains and endorses all CRE volunteers, and maintains a register of all Special Religious Education volunteers working in public schools. At the beginning of each year, all Special Religious Education volunteers are required to re-register their details so that their records can be updated and a new registration card sent to them.
Year
Number of schools
2011
117
2012
83
2013
71
(1)(b)
(2)(a) It is difficult to determine how many as Independent Public Schools, in collaboration with their communities, set their own strategic directions and make curriculum decisions that best cater for their students, and this information is not held centrally.
(2)(b)
Year
Number of schools
2011
9
2012
15
2013
26
These cumulative figures align with each new Independent Public School intake.
(3) The Christian Religious Education (CRE) program conducted Special Religious Education (SRE) in 99 schools and the Baha'i Special Religious Education program also conducted SRE in 16 of those schools.
(4) Two: the Christian Religious Education (CRE) program and the Baha'i Special Religious Education program.
(5) It is difficult to provide numbers for February 2014 as YouthCARE registration processes do not conclude until April 2014. At the end of 2013, the number of volunteers was: CRE; 365 and Baha'i; 32.
(6) All Special Religious Education volunteers are screened, trained and endorsed by their faith group, and all screening processes must include
Working with Children
checks. As part of a Churches Commission Service Agreement with the Department of Education, YouthCARE screens, trains and endorses all CRE volunteers, and maintains a register of all Special Religious Education volunteers working in public schools. At the beginning of each year, all Special Religious Education volunteers are required to re-register their details so that their records can be updated and a new registration card sent to them.
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