Can Education in State Schools be Christian?

Abstract

For Christians, a key question is whether state schools can provide a Christian education. This article considers this question with a case study of religious education in New South Wales state schools over the lifespan of JCE. It takes four elements of a Christian philosophy of education proposed by JCE founding editor Anna Hogg and shows how these have applied to the NSW education system. The chronological approach focuses on curriculum (especially general religious education and special religious education) while acknowledging the broader changes within education. The article concludes that there is still an agenda to be completed if state schools are to be considered to provide Christian education.