Special Education in Ethics
This policy outlines requirements and responsibilities for matters relating to special education in ethics.
Changes since previous version
2022 Jul 25 - updated section 4.2 of implementation document, Special Education in Ethics Procedure, to include changes to the Working with Children Check policy. Updated website links.
Document history
2021 Jul 14 - updated links in implementation document: Special Education in Ethics Procedures.
2021 Jun 22 - maintenance update to policy statement - changes to titles to reflect new organisational structure.
2020 Apr - updated contact details.
This is a new document. It replaces Special Ethics Education Information for Principals.
Superseded documents
Special Ethics Education Information for Principals.
- Policy statement
- Schools are to provide meaningful activities for students whose parents have withdrawn them from special religious education. Where it is requested by a parent/caregiver and an approved provider can provide trained volunteers, this will include the option of special education in ethics.
- Curriculum for special education in ethics is developed and implemented by approved providers.
- Audience and applicability
- This policy applies to all schools, departmental officers and providers of special education in ethics.
- Context
- Education Act 1990, Section 33A.
- NSW Ethics Course Trial Final Report (2010) recommendations 1-5 were adopted by the government of the day.
- Inquiry into Education Amendment (Ethics Classes Repeal) Bill 2012 Final Report.
- Responsibilities and delegations
- Principals:
- facilitating the delivery of special education in ethics in schools, where parents request it.
- Directors, Educational Leadership:
- monitoring of the implementation of special education in ethics in schools
- resolution of implementation issues between the school, its community and providers of special education in ethics as outlined in this policy and its implementation procedures.
- NSW Department of Education Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics:
- provision of advice on the policy and its implementation through the Director, Curriculum Early Years and Primary Learners
- consideration of new developments and approaches to special education in ethics.
- Director, Curriculum Early Years and Primary Learners:
- provision of executive support for the NSW Department of Education Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics and acting as Chairperson
- provision of advice to the department on the policy and its implementation
- provision of administrative support for special education in ethics, including:
- receiving and processing submissions for the approval of an organisation or individual to deliver special education in ethics
- maintaining the list of approved providers
- procuring annual assurances from approved providers regarding the screening of special education in ethics teachers.
- Policy contact person (section 6):
- provision of advice on the interpretation and implementation of the policy
- acting as Executive Officer for the NSW Department of Education Consultative Committee for Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics
- liaison with local department officers on matters relating to special education in ethics.
- Principals:
- Monitoring and review
- The Director, Curriculum Early Years and Primary Learners monitors the implementation of this policy, regularly reviews its contents to ensure relevance and accuracy, and updates it as needed.
- Contact
Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics Officer
seecontact@det.nsw.edu.au
02 7814 2353