31 October 2009

Focus on the Family kicked out of ACT schools

| johnboy
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It may surprise many to learn that ACT schools have been letting in nutballs with agendas to take up valuable school time pushing their barrows.

But the ABC reports that the nutballs have gone too far this time:

Focus on the Family has been accused of vilifying homosexuality, and preaching religion to students without parental consent.

A spokesman for Education Minister Andrew Barr says the government launched the investigation after a complaint made by a parent at a Canberra high school.

A better world, one group of intolerant weirdoes at a time.

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Pommy bastard1:18 pm 09 Dec 09

Well I finally heard back from the school, after writing and asking them what the outcome was;

Good morning

There was a full investigation conducted by the Department. Andrew Barr addressed each of the allegations and presented a list of findings and recommendations. The date that this occurred in the Assembly was Thursday November 19. You should be able to access his statement through the Assembly.

Regards,

Or in other words; “Here go find out for yourself.

So I did.

http://www.andrewbarr.com.au/statement-investigation-investigation-seminar-conducted-focus-family

Findings

1. There is no indication that the seminars conducted at Canberra High School were inconsistent with the provisions of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT) or the ACT Department of Education and Training Providing Safe Schools P-12 or Religious Education in ACT Government Schools policies.

2. It is unlikely that students would have been influenced to the extent that they would have formed the impressions stated in the complainants’ letter.

3. A rigorous process of selection of this presenter was not undertaken by Canberra High School.

4. The Focus on the Family seminars were not part of an educational program at Canberra High School.

Recommendations

1. The Department develop a quality assurance process that accredits and approves outside organisations and individuals prior to their involvement with schools.

2. That schools be required to have parental approval prior to a student attending any event conducted by a non-government organisation or individual.

3. That schools develop more rigorous selection processes when accessing the services of outside organisations or individuals.

4. That schools vet all content before an outside organisation or individual presents to students, and that schools have appropriate preparation for students prior to presentations and appropriate follow up lessons.

5. That schools evaluate and seek feedback from students and teachers after seminars/ performances that have been presented by non-school staff to address any student issues or concerns.

to be told that homosexuality was equitable with bestiality and other disgusting views that these religious perverts were promoting could be very damaging to a young persons psych.

Homosexual activity is totally legal and socially acceptable. Are these fundies saying Bestiality should be too?

@Paul:
Why leave discussion of the seminar to those who attended (although as a taxpayer I -did- apparently pay for these students to attend) when the seminars, course materials, homework, and discussion questions are available online?

But just as I wouldn’t invite the local Labor branch Secretary to a SOSE class and talk about the economics of organised labour, why do it for religious groups coming into schools to pass social judgement on your kids and push for ineffectual religious\social programs under the guise of ‘health education’?

@PB, Deezagood, and Georgesgenitals:
In every other state in the country where they have presented these seminars (except NSW where it can be classed as ‘curricular’ since its performance art), permission slips are required.
Those permission slips mention that its a Christian-based program, with a focus on Christian teachings, and treat it as opt-in rather than opt-out.
The ACT seems to be another exception, where an off-curriculum program promoted by the local branch of a multinational right-wing religious organisation, with its own international media company and political lobby groups could be run in schools without permission slips or parental notification.

Right Wing Watch on FOF’s US parent company and lobbyist wing parareligious organisation and ‘research’ publisher
Example permission slip from a QLDschool

I totally agree PB. Parents need to know what their kids are being subjected to at school, if only so that they can discuss it later.

Pommy bastard7:45 pm 24 Nov 09

I put in a complaint to the school following reading this here, thanks for the heads up Johnboy.

I received a stock reply;

I understand that your daughter attended a session called “No Apologies” on Monday 26 October which was attended by Year 9 students. There have been concerns raised by another parent and the Department is currently conducting an investigation about the concerns raised. I have forwarded your e-mail.

After the investigation, the Department will forward the findings to the school.

Regards,

I’m still awaiting further information.

georgesgenitals said :

It’s very easy to whip up a frenzy when religion was involved. Could it be that it was just an alternate viewpoint being presented?

true, but not just an “alternate” viewpoint. My daughter is at a young an vulnerable age. To be told that homosexuality was equitable with bestiality and other disgusting views that these religious perverts were promoting could be very damaging to a young persons psych.

The KKK have an “alternate view” should they be allowed to promote it in schools?

If the school wants religious nutbags to have access to the children in order to promote their “viewpoint” they should request the parents permission first. They do it when my daughter goes abseiling or canoeing, they should have done it here. The answer would have been brief, but colourful. (Unless they were prepared to let me attend also. )

georgesgenitals7:07 pm 24 Nov 09

‘IS’ involved, that is…

georgesgenitals7:07 pm 24 Nov 09

Paul RT said :

I take it then Skidbladnir that you attended the presentation?

If not, the public (and you) have also speculated and condemned without any empirical evidence :0)

It’s very easy to whip up a frenzy when religion was involved. Could it be that it was just an alternate viewpoint being presented?

I feel the same way about my daughters being forced to ‘celebrate’ rugby league teams when they visit their primary school. I would definately like an ‘opt out’ option for those visits. I really don’t want my kids growing up believing that sporting teams or individuals are ‘heros’ of any kind. Yes – I am very un-Australian in this regard.

I make this point only because I believe that ANY event at public schools, provided by an external group, should have an opt in/opt out clause, because all parents have different values, ideals, beliefs etc… The event in question should be clearly outlined to parents, so that they can make an informed choice. I really hate my kids being exposed to things that I don’t believe in/agree with at their public school.

I take it then Skidbladnir that you attended the presentation?

If not, the public (and you) have also speculated and condemned without any empirical evidence :0)

Paul:
I don’t support a right-wing organisation like Focus on the Family being given any place in the notionally secular education system I pay for, (especially if some idiot at DET invited them into classrooms and even paid them for their efforts), nor do I support empirically ineffective abstinence education to be preached to students by the Department.

Yes some elements and impressions of the complaint were apparently unfounded, but its still not an “Everything was fine, no need to worry” (hence further recommendations) from Minister Barr.
And in the absence of anything actionable in that everybody involved treated the complaint as a secret, the public speculated.

Maybe most of the previous bloggers on this site should have waited for the results of enquiry into this investigation.

See http://www.andrewbarr.com.au/statement-investigation-investigation-seminar-conducted-focus-family for Andrew Barr’s findings.

It’s always easier to criticise before getting the facts!

The truth is that there was ONE complaint and most of the “impressions” if not all were unfounded.

Don’t let the facts ruin the opportunity for a good bagging though!

The State educating you in specific religious practice\worship (outside a comparative religion context) is a major breach of both State secularity and citizen freedom of religion.
(And is a breach of the ACT Education Act 2004 in any case)
Ignoring such a complaint would be a terrible idea, especially when the ACT has a specific law granting protection from state interference to the freedoms of thought and consicence when dealing with public administrative authorities.

Besides, according to the ABC, Focus on the Family themselves admit that they have done this in five other schools before anyone noticed, so it potentially isn’t a one-off breach.

Whether it is right, wrong, lunacy or otherwise, I feel that the real issue here is the fact that a government inquiry can be launched by one parental complaint. I am curious to see if I can get a government inquiry launched.. all I need to do is think up the complaint!

I-filed said :

imhotep – please know your facts before you post. Clare Holland House is a superb institution – until now. It is not currently owned by Catholic nuns. It is currently secular. Our ludicrous government plans to sell it to the Catholic Church.

Well, remaining OT and staying out of the ‘who owns what debate’, the place is run by ‘The Little Company of Mary’. Gee, they sound like the ‘nuns’ you were taking a cheap swipe at.

It’s a tough gig looking after dying people. I’d just as soon be looked after by them as by some bureaucrat from ACT Health.

imhotep said :

I-filed said :

Folks, if you think it’s bad having the fundies teaching your kids religion, imagine having Catholic nuns hovering over you at Clare Holland House as you see out your days. Shiver!

Oh really? I am one of those sad people who read the funeral notices in the Canberra Times (hey, it’s the most interesting bit!) One thing that has struck me is the number of dead people who have asked that donations (in lieu of flowers) to be made to Clare Holland House.

Perhaps those evil nuns have used some weird Catholic voodoo on these people?

Or perhaps they realise that (for many) Clare Holland House is a better place to die than some sterile hospital ward.

.

imhotep – please know your facts before you post. Clare Holland House is a superb institution – until now. It is not currently owned by Catholic nuns. It is currently secular. Our ludicrous government plans to sell it to the Catholic Church.

I find it strange that in a thread about:
the failure of at least Government school to remain secular (ie: a potential breach of the Education Act 2004),
potential failures of school management by principals,
and Department of Education-endorsed school visitors to preach ideas that vilify the Education Minister…
you’re talking evolution and riding out hobby horses instead of remaining on topic.

I-filed said :

Folks, if you think it’s bad having the fundies teaching your kids religion, imagine having Catholic nuns hovering over you at Clare Holland House as you see out your days. Shiver!

Oh really? I am one of those sad people who read the funeral notices in the Canberra Times (hey, it’s the most interesting bit!) One thing that has struck me is the number of dead people who have asked that donations (in lieu of flowers) to be made to Clare Holland House.

Perhaps those evil nuns have used some weird Catholic voodoo on these people?

Or perhaps they realise that (for many) Clare Holland House is a better place to die than some sterile hospital ward.

.

Folks, if you think it’s bad having the fundies teaching your kids religion, imagine having Catholic nuns hovering over you at Clare Holland House as you see out your days. Shiver!

I haven’t got the book with me but I’m sure I read it in the book The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, well worth a read and the statistic really surprised me as well. Another good one by him is The Ancestors Tale, it explains evolution in great detail but in laymans terms. Sort of like in the way A Brief History of Time by Hawking was written explaining Astro Physics for layman haha. If more Children were introduced to books like that instead of bibles or Korans we would be a lot better off.

Devil_n_Disquiz8:20 pm 02 Nov 09

So the principal have no principle ? hmmmmm

yeah man. which dept?

GOLD!!

Also, for those who don’t realise it is spelt princiPAL.

Furthermore, just to clarify re: whose fault it was to have the group in the school —> Minister Barr and ACTDET.

When principals and teachers are given ‘directives’, little discussion (if any) is made with the schools as to who will provide the service.

To blame it on the staff of the school is ignorant and shows what little understanding you have of the hierarchical system that is ACTDET.

Some idiot got a payrise or promotion for coming up with this little gem.

shauno said :

The rise of fundamentalist religions and its influence is a serious problem in this country more so in the US. Its got to the stage in the US where almost 50% of the population believes the Earth is only around 7000 years old. How and why the hell did western society start on this trip back to the stone age. As far as I’m concerned there should be no religious education/brain washing in government schools.

I know everyone loves a good “those crazy ignorant Americans” story, but have you got any hard evidence to back up that 50% claim?

Confusedwouldwe1:13 pm 02 Nov 09

I agree that the principle and any teacher involved should be given disciplinary action but I’m not sure about firing them. As for the Govie dept, the senior managers should learn that it is not their department, so stone them I say.

And what school was it that got these educational visits?

COme on I-filed – name names! Which department was it?

icantbelieveitsnotbutter11:37 am 02 Nov 09

weeziepops said :

I understand it was a parent who raised concerns about this. Says something for the quality of principals/teachers, perhaps.

If the principle knew about this and let it go through un-checked… they need to leave, or be forced to leave. Not on

I-filed said :

A few weeks ago the fundamentalist Christians in a large Commonwealth department sent around an invitation to a Christian festival to ALL STAFF – no response from the Secretary or Corporate shooting them down. Unfortunately, they are stacking the senior levels in divisions all over that particular department.

Was this an invitation to their department’s Christmas Party, or something more sinister?

The rise of fundamentalist religions and its influence is a serious problem in this country more so in the US. Its got to the stage in the US where almost 50% of the population believes the Earth is only around 7000 years old. How and why the hell did western society start on this trip back to the stone age. As far as I’m concerned there should be no religious education/brain washing in government schools.

Ahh religion…that wonderful dellusion that allows for insightful and valid discusizzzz, snort snore.

I understand it was a parent who raised concerns about this. Says something for the quality of principals/teachers, perhaps.

Mind you, I think the reaction was considerably more muted when the Victorian Government decided to allow crackpot Steiner Schoolists to take over numerous primary schools in that state, wasn’t it? I’m talking hardcore nutter stuff with Steiner: no vaccinations, and keeping the children from reading till certain TEETH break through the gums. On balance, I think I’d prefer Christian drongo ideas in kids’ heads, to their health being put at risk by the Steinerites. One particular Steiner school in a different state had a doctor parent who offered to vaccinate all the kids at the school pro bono – having discovered that the school hadn’t passed on State Govt vaccination information to the parents months before. How irresponsible is that! I know this is fact because my sibling’s kid was at the school, and was one of the children whom the doctor did a vaccination rescue on …

Mike Crowther2:38 pm 01 Nov 09

Skidbladnir has raised a very good question. How did this happen? Someone is accountable. I wonder if they’ll be held to be so? Surely even Andrew Barr wont wink and nod at this?

Pommy bastard1:32 pm 01 Nov 09

I’ll certainly be wanting to know more about this, as my kid attends that school.

Most “fundies” I know don’t tend to care if you use birth control or not so I guess that doesn’t really matter. 😀

All this talk about sex is making me feel a little frisky. But that’s OK, ’cause I have a married partner of the opposite sex. Just don’t tell the fundies we use birth control! 🙂

A few weeks ago the fundamentalist Christians in a large Commonwealth department sent around an invitation to a Christian festival to ALL STAFF – no response from the Secretary or Corporate shooting them down. Unfortunately, they are stacking the senior levels in divisions all over that particular department.

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster10:05 am 01 Nov 09

I bet Andrew Barr is currently conducting a witchhunt within DET trying to find out who approved this little fiasco.

Up The Duffy1:28 am 01 Nov 09

Political correctness is the current new religion!

What relevance dose 2000, 1200 year old dogma have in today’s informed society?

Organisations that do this give me the shits, because its both deceitful to attend a school under a ‘performance art’ pretext and then give them a dose of your religious moralising, unethical to tell teenagers that abstinence and sexual normality are the way to discover yourself, and whatever the organisation’s motivation, following the idea that total abstinence is a valid expectation for teenagers is just naive and idiotic (See bottom).

Also, religious education in the ACT is opt-in, not opt-out.
(IE: You elect for your kids to a private Catholic\Christian\Muslim\Pastafarian school, or you send them to a Government school which has religious studies as an opt-in choice.
ACT Department of Education policy on Religious Learning in Schools. (check out Section 4.3.6 re Opt-in.)

In NSW the simple answer to how they operate is that they’ve been given an accreditation by the Department of Education & Training in NSW to present a “No Apologies Impact Seminar” as part of the Performances for Schools program, under the guise of the Personal Development/Health/Physical Education component of NSW curriculum.
(Confirmed by NSW Dept of Education website)
But what isn’t clearly mentioned is that they have their accreditation as “performance art piece”.

According to the NSW Performances for Schools program website (Google cached version because the normal version has been temporarily set back to Under Contruction as a result of this incident and to avoid criticism):

The NSW Department of Education and Training is committed to developing children’s appreciation, enjoyment and participation in the arts in all its forms as part of their education. It acknowledges that only professional performers and practitioners practising their craft at a high level of educational and artistic competence can provide students with opportunities to experience live performances and presentations. To ensure the artistic and educational integrity of these performances and to meet its charter to protect the young people in its care, the Department of Education and Training strongly recommends that all schools accept only those performances that have been authorised to perform in schools and colleges through the Performances For Schools program.

Apparently they have access to 900 public schools in NSW as a result, and the organisation gets paid $450 by the NSW Department of Education each time they are invited to perform in a school.

By the way, here is a copy of the prootional flyer for the Seminar, which even though the seminar is claims to be “complimentary to the sexual health and enrichment programs” with topics including (but not limited to) pornography, the influence of the media, the consequences of pre-marital sex and how far is too far., includes starring phrases like ‘…significant cultural upheaval in the 1960s and 1970s led to widespread public questioning, if not outright abandonment of [modesty and sexual morality],
Abstinence until marriage is an achievable standard for our youth
and modules called “Abstinence Works Every Time”, and “Pre-marital Sex and
Consequences”.

Their leading quote on the pamphlet comes from Leslie Yeaton-Koepke, the former international spokeswoman of the US instance of Focus on the Family.

So:
1) Who thought it would be a good idea to lend a politically-motivated and religious terest group an audience of impressionable and sexually-curious minds, apparently without informed consent?
2) How had this group been operating without parental consent?
3) Which ACT Government funded schools did they operate in, and did the principals of these schools know?
4) Who invited them?
5) Did we pay for FOTF to come into the schools with their “performance art”?
6) Why are we teaching abstinence programs in schools?

Recent population-trend data in the US backs up the assertion that abstinence-only education fails to reduce teen pregnancy, and seems to encourage it.
The fastest-growing rates of teenage birth have been in highly religious, Federal-abstinence-funding recipient states, but the increase started happening _after_ they began running abstinence programs under Georgey Bush back in 2000.

Abstinence-only programs do not delay the time when the average participant first has sex, does not decrease the numbers of teenagers or adults having premarital sex, does not decrease the frequency at which teenagers or adults engage in premarital sex, but only significantly reduces the populational incidence of choosing to utilise any method of birth control.

PS: Whats the inherent difference between your using a “Christian Activists” tag on this thread, but not on CTFM’s threads?
(Conversely, why no Bigots, Fundamentalists, or even a Sneaky Cunts tags on this one?)

I can’t understand how ACT Education would let fundies of any persuasion have air space in our schools.

Our kids need to be exposed to a relatively wide selection of views, but this needs to be done within the boundaries of an education program, one where the context is clearly explained, and one where students are able to express contrary views.

None of that appears to have happened in this case, based on the reports in the CT and ABC.

In this case, I hope Barr goes all the way to ensure that proper education standards are met in the future.

no place for this in schools – if parents are hell bent on warping the minds of their children, let them drag them along to some church or cult on their own time. better still let your children make up their own minds when they are old enough to do so!

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