15 December 2015
Students at Victorian Government schools will be stopped from learning or singing a wide selection of Christmas carols under new guidelines issued by the Melbourne Labor Government.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the restrictions are contained in a Fact Sheet sent out to school principals issued last month but not made public.
“The Fact Sheet instructs principals on how they must implement the recently published Special Religious Instruction (SRI) guidelines under Ministerial Direction 145 “ Mr Walsh said.
“Under these instructions principals have been told that students will not be able to participate in singing any “praise music” that includes praise of a god or a religious figure if the singing is organized by school volunteers.
“As well teachers will only be able to teach carols if it is done as part of a wide-ranging “general religious education” curriculum that covers different religions in Australia and around the world.
“Accordingly principals will be required to ensure that children are not taught to sing carols such as Holy Night Away in a Manger or We Three Kings during school carols or pageants as these welcome the birth of Jesus Christ “ Mr Walsh said.
A petition calling on Daniel Andrews to reverse this decision is available at the Murray Plains Electorate office 54822 038 or via email peter.walsh@parliament .vic.gov.au
“As a nation we celebrate respect and welcome many different cultures from around the world but our traditions and beliefs as a predominantly Christian nation should not be compromised “ Mr Walsh said.