Should Religion be in State Schools?

The Education Act allows for public state schools to hold religious lessons for up to 20 hours a year. This is particularly common in primary schools, and it is claimed that they predominantly focus of Christianity.

Secular Education Network spokesperson Tanya Jacob told Radio New Zealand that there are cases where parents would be shocked and disgusted and that often they just go along with it because they don't want their child to be singled out, adding that it is Christian indoctrination.

Earlier this year in May, SEN filed a case with the human rights tribunal claiming that religious favoritism is prohibited under the Bill of Rights Act.

Producer Reuben McLaren spoke to Peter Harrison of the SEN to find out what exactly they are campaigning for.