800: Religious Education and Instruction
1.0 POLICY
The Board believes that our schools have a role in helping children develop emotionally, intellectually, physically, morally and spiritually.
The Board believes in religious tolerance, the acknowledgement of religious diversity, the maintenance of inclusive environments in its schools, and the provision of appropriate opportunities for students to give expression to their religious beliefs.
The Board believes that while many education activities may be perceived to include incidental or indirect reference to religion or religious themes, these may provide valuable learning and cultural opportunities for students, serve to acknowledge the religious diversity that exists among students, and provide students with opportunity to express their personal beliefs, when done in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner and does not involve indoctrination.
2.0 GUIDELINES
2.1 In accordance with the Education Act, the Alberta Act, the School Ordinance of the Northwest Territories, the Constitution of Canada, and the Alberta Human Rights Act, the Board encourages the practice of providing opportunities for students to take part in religious instruction during the day and may prescribe religious instruction to be offered to its students.
2.2 Offering religious instruction
2.2.1 The Principal shall annually:
2.2.1.1 Inquire of parents/guardians as to whether or not they wish to have their child(ren) participate in a religious instruction course, and
2.2.1.2 Facilitate receipt of written approval for students whose parents/guardians wish them to participate in any religious instruction course.
2.2.1.3 In accordance with the Education Act, the Alberta Act, the School Ordinance of the Northwest Territories, the Constitution of Canada and the Alberta Human Rights Act:
2.2.1.3.1 Receive indication from any parents/ guardians who do not wish to have their child(ren) participate in a religious instruction course, and
2.2.1.3.2 Make provision to provide an alternate course of instruction for any student(s) whose parents/guardians do not wish them to participate in a religious instruction course.
2.2.2 Approval Process
2.2.2.1 Whenever parents/guardians request that religious instruction courses be made available at a school, the Principal shall advise the Superintendent, who will advise the Board of Trustees.
2.2.2.2 The Board of Trustees may, through the Superintendent, direct the Principal to determine the degree of parent/guardian interest around such request for religious instruction courses through surveys, meetings or any other appropriate means of gathering information, and establish a timeframe for such undertaking.
2.2.2.3 The Principal shall present information obtained, including the rationale for the request for religious instruction courses and the determined degree of parent/guardian interest in the request, to the Board and seek Board prescription of such courses.
2.2.2.4 The Board shall consider the rationale presented, including the tradition and culture of the school community, as well as the determined degree of parent/guardian interest and may prescribe the religious instruction courses to be included in the school’s course offerings.
2.2.2.5 For schools where the Board prescribes religious instruction courses, the Principal shall typically present information regarding such courses as part of the school’s instructional program plan for the coming school year. Such information shall include:
2.2.2.5.1 The grades or grade groupings for which religious instruction will be offered,
2.2.2.5.2 The scheduling, as per legislation, of instruction per week,
2.2.2.5.3 The process by which parents/guardians will indicate their approval or non-approval for their child(ren) to participate in a religious instruction course,
2.2.2.5.4 The course of instruction to be offered to any student whose parents/guardians indicate that their child is not to participate in a religious instruction course, and
2.2.2.5.5 If any persons other than teachers are to provide the religious instruction to the students.
2.3 Alternative Programs
In accordance with The Education Act the Board may establish an alternative program that emphasizes religion and includes:
2.3.1 Courses of study
2.3.2 Instructional materials, and
2.3.3 Instruction or exercises that deal primarily and explicitly with religion.
2.4 Participation in Activities
2.4.1 The Board authorizes student participation in the following activities which may include incidental or indirect reference to religion or religious themes:
2.4.1.1 A moment of silence at a special event such as a Remembrance Day ceremony,
2.4.1.2 Appropriate and inclusive ceremonial prayer at special events such as graduation exercises,
2.4.1.3 Participation in extra-curricular activities such as religious clubs,
2.4.1.4 Preparation for, and performance of, musical or dramatic selections with incidental religious themes or content, with the understanding that such selections shall not contain religious exercises such as prayers or bible readings and where the preparation and performance of those selections takes place in an inclusive, nondiscriminatory manner and do not involve indoctrination.
2.4.1.5 Concerts and activities in recognition of holidays with a religious basis, where such concerts and activities do not contain religious exercises such as prayers or bible readings and the concert or activity takes place in an inclusive, non-discriminatory manner and do not involve indoctrination.
2.4.1.6 Activities of a religious nature associated with the study of other cultures, and activities as part of provincially authorized courses of study such as Religious Ethics 20, Religious Meanings 20, and World Religions 30 where sufficient student interest warrants the offering of such courses.
2.4.2 Parent Notification and Exemption Provisions
2.4.2.1 In accordance with the Education Act, parents/guardians shall be provided notice where courses of study, educational programs or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises include subject matter that deals primarily and explicitly with religion.
2.4.2.2 Exemptions from Participation Principals shall ensure that:
2.4.2.2.1 Provision is made to accommodate the wishes of parents/guardians who make written request that their child(ren) be exempted from participating in activities dealing primarily and explicitly with religious theme or content,
2.4.2.2.2 An appropriate alternate activity is provided for nonparticipants
2.4.2.2.3 Depending on the parent request, the students are permitted to leave the classroom or place where the activity is taking place for the duration of the activity that includes the primary and explicit religious theme or content, or the students are permitted to remain in the classroom or place of activity without taking part in the activity, and
2.4.2.2.4 Non-participants are treated discreetly and with respect at all times.
2.5 Wearing Faith-Based Symbols
Students may wear faith-based jewelry, objects or articles of clothing at school or during school sponsored activities, as long as these are worn discretely, do not have a proselytizing message, and meet the requirements of the school’s standards of dress and grooming.
References:
Education Act: Sections 16, 61, 58 (1) (a) (b), and 58.1
Alberta Act, 1905: Section 17
School Ordinance of the Northwest Territories, 1901: Sections 137 and 138
Constitution Act, 1867: Section 93
Alberta Human Rights Act Preamble
History
2019 Mar 27 Initial Approval
2019 Oct 23 Reviewed
2020 Jan 29 Amended
2021 Oct 27 Reviewed
Board Policies VIII. Curriculum and Instruction