❓ Hon Tjorn Sibma asks about prayer rooms in WA public schools, including data on their existence and policy guidance. The Department of Education admits it doesn't track prayer rooms but is developing multi-faith space guidelines.
AnsweredQoN 2044Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to prayer rooms within the public school system, and I ask: (a) how many schools within the public school system have prayer rooms; (b) with respect to (a), which schools; (c) does the Department of Education provide any policy guidance or practical support to school principals in respect of the safe operation of these prayer rooms (for example, are these rooms made available to students of all faith backgrounds, are they accessible to both sexes, is there supervised guidance or religious instruction provided); (d) if yes to (c), please table the above; and (e) if no to (c), please explain the absence of such a policy/program of support?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 June 2024
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Education
Response time
12 days
(a)-(b) The Department of Education does not capture this data.
(c)-(e) The Department of Education is developing guidelines for the establishment and use of multi-faith spaces in Western Australian public schools. The School Education Act 1999 and the Religious Education Guidelines allow schools to provide places for students to observe their religions. A school principal may decide to provide a place after consulting with their school board or council. In making decisions, principals take into account the local context and diversity of cultures and religious beliefs in the school community. No one religion is prioritised over another.
(c)-(e) The Department of Education is developing guidelines for the establishment and use of multi-faith spaces in Western Australian public schools. The School Education Act 1999 and the Religious Education Guidelines allow schools to provide places for students to observe their religions. A school principal may decide to provide a place after consulting with their school board or council. In making decisions, principals take into account the local context and diversity of cultures and religious beliefs in the school community. No one religion is prioritised over another.
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