Vanessa Cheng

Although the latest Census results show Christian affiliation is declining across the nation, Christian school enrolments continue to grow as we experience the fastest growth across all school sectors. Many parents value the quality, low-fee Christian education our schools provide to over 150,000 students in more than 300 schools across the country.

Christian teachers and staff are open about the reason for this culture – they are people who have experienced the care and compassion from God, through a living faith in Jesus, and they want others to experience this also.

Through our research involving over a thousand Australian parents, we discovered that when it comes to their child’s school, “care and compassion” is the number one priority for parents, regardless of their age, income level, or religious affiliation. The same survey also found that “care and compassion” is what Christian schools do best.

Christian teachers and staff are open about the reason for this culture – they are people who have experienced the care and compassion from God, through a living faith in Jesus, and they want others to experience this also.

The landmark Cardus Survey demonstrated the positive contribution Christian school graduates make to the broader flourishing of society. But despite these proven benefits, in 2023 our sector once again found itself having to justify our existence and defend our freedom to operate according to our values and beliefs.

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) recently recommended a suite of controversial changes to the law which would make it extremely difficult for our schools to continue hiring Christian staff.

For us it is simple. Christian schools must be able to employ staff who share the same faith without the fear of having to defend themselves against costly discrimination claims. Parents should feel confident that when they pay for a Christian education, all staff are committed to the beliefs of the school and will model these beliefs as they educate and nurture the intellectual, physical, emotional, moral and spiritual wellbeing of their children.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides clear protections for the right of parents to choose to educate their children in accordance with their own religious and moral beliefs.  As a signatory to this Covenant, it is time for Australian lawmakers to recognise this fundamental human right in domestic law.

The good news is that the Christian school sector is strong and growing, parents are voting with their feet!

We are witnessing a growing intolerance to diversity of belief about topics such as sexuality and gender identity in Australian society. Schools that teach traditional beliefs about these topics require legal protection from those who hold an alternate worldview.

The good news is that the Christian school sector is strong and growing, parents are voting with their feet! My hope and prayer for 2024 is that politicians promote genuine educational choice for parents and show a new level of respect for the cultural and religious diversity of all Australians.

Over the summer, while politicians are considering the legislative agenda for 2024, you can send a message of support via mychristianschool.au to help Christian schools flourish into the future.

Vanessa Cheng, Executive Officer, Australian Association of Christian Schools