Ethics classes hidden from parents

It is important to understand the relationship between knowledge, culture and power because the intellectual’s role is key in the reconstruction of consciousness. In shorter words, culture is about power, yet more precisely “culture as a form of politics.” The Sydney Morning Herald article on the introduction of ethic classes in schools as an alternative to scripture classes has brought me to question upon the compulsory of attending religion classes.

 For many years, Australian primary school students have been participating in assigned scripture classes for an hour of each week during school hours and can only be opt out this religion class if permitted by parents. Children who are not undertaking these special religious educations are placed into a classroom to do some ‘free time work’ which is usually believed to be non productive; leisure time. Therefore a discussion of whether NSW schools should run ethics classes as an alternative to special religious education was put forth.

However, a government-initiated inquiry into ethics classes was held this year and it found the classes should be retained but recommended that parents should not be advised the classes are available until after they have decided to opt out of special religious education, or scripture. This means that Ethics education is to be treated as a second class option, but our culture in the western society tells us that we are ‘free’ individuals with the capacity to choose our own destinies and everyday choices. 

This contradiction highlights Bourdiea’s idea of superior and high ‘culture’ is based in “symbolic viloence,” that is, the imposition of ones group’s values and beliefs on another group in such a way that that dominance appears ‘normal and right.’ In consideration to the O'Farrell government needing the votes of Fred Nile's Christian Democrats, whose party shares the balance of power in the upper house in the upper house, it is clear why scripture classes in NSW schools are compulsory unless parents requested for their child to be removed.

With Catholic and Anglican being the dominant groups in scripture and Australia as a wide diversified nation, should the government be thinking towards more multiculturalism? Maybe initiating scripture classes of all different religions and have a rotating timetable so students can have a wider understanding of each other might be a more appropriate idea. After all, education shapes culture, and culture shapes education.

References:

·         Leonardo, Z. (2009). Affirming ambivalence: Introdution to cultural politics and education. In Z. Leonardo (ed.), Handbook of Cultural Politics and Education (pp. 1-48), Rotterdam : Sense Publishers.

·         http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/ethics-classes-hidden-from-parents-say-supporters-20120803-23kni.html