Government refuses to back down on Christmas carol ban
Disappointing news this morning, with the Minister for Education refusing to back down on the government’s Christmas carol ban, instead denying they’re doing it and launching political attacks.
Minister James Merlino claims carols can continue to be sung in government schools along with other activities ‘such as colourful celebrations during Diwali and candle lighting during Hanukkah’.
However, what the Minister doesn’t say is that schools will only be allowed to do that as part of a new “general religious education curriculum”.
Teachers will be banned from teaching carols outside of that curriculum, and parent volunteers and outside music instructors will be banned from teaching carols for a school Christmas concert.
Enough is enough. The government must stop trying to drive out Christmas carols by stealth while pretending they’re not. Children should be allowed to learn, sing and enjoy Christmas carols at school just as they always have.
To read the Minister’s claims and the response by my colleague, Andrew Katos, in the Geelong Advertiser today, see Religious Christmas songs could be banned at school, MP Andrew Katos warns.