Schools back Chaplaincy program

It has been two years since the Federal Government's controversial plan to fund chaplains in schools was implemented, and there is evidence it is actually working. There was opposition three years ago when the Howard government announced it was going to spend tens of millions of dollars putting more chaplains in Schools. Some condemned the plan as a divisive threat to the separation of church and state. When the Federal Government began paying for chaplains in state schools there were only around 650 chaplains, but now there are 1,900.

Dr Philip Hughes from Western Australia's Edith Cowan University has been commissioned by the National School Chaplaincy Association to look at government schools and assess how well the program is working. He says he was surprised by the results. "Ninety-seven per cent of principals were really affirming of the contribution that the chaplains were making," he said. "Certainly some of the staff that I spoke to in case studies said that at first they were very wary of chaplains, but the feedback from them has been was overwhelmingly positive.

"What we found that chaplains themselves said that if they were asked for their personal opinions, they would express what they thought themselves. But in fact they were very respectful of people of all traditions and all faiths." Former rugby league referee Tim Mander is now a school chaplain in Queensland. He is also a devout Christian and a strong supporter of having more chaplains in schools. Mr Mander says the idea has worked so well that he wants to see even more money spent on it.

"They engage positively with students, helping them work through a whole range of issues," he said. "They help with behavioural management issues, social relationship issues, anger, peer pressure, loneliness and bullying. They also help with family relationship issues. We believe the program needs to be expanded with funding increased from $165 million over three years to $300 million."  Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard was not available for an interview, but through a spokeswoman said she welcomes the research and is yet to make a decision about future funding.

Readers who wish to express support of the School Chaplaincy Program to their local Federal Member may do so by going to a specially prepared website at www.support.schoolchaplaincy.org.au and forward a brief message. 

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports