Federally funded chaplains in government schools are now an established part of the educational landscape. The report from a major national research study into the effectiveness of school chaplaincy services was released in Hobart this month.

The researchers found that chaplains were accessible and approachable, and dealt with many issues ranging from behaviour management, social and family relationship issues to social inclusion and racism – 98 per cent of the 688 school principals who participated in the national study agreed that chaplaincy in government schools is making a major contribution to school morale.

The principals agreed funding for the National School Chaplaincy Program should be continued when the three-year cycle of project funding ends in 2010. Principals said chaplains in their government schools helped build a sense of community, supported the school ethos and assisted integration of potentially at-risk students, including immigrants and Aboriginal students.

The study found that chaplains provide pastoral care that complemented what is being provided by other staff. The fact the chaplain is not a teacher or a psychologist, but a neutral person, was noted quite frequently in principals’ comments. Part of this neutrality relates to the fact that chaplains do not have a disciplinary responsibility and can listen non-judgmentally.

Chaplaincy in state schools is by no means a recent development. In some states it dates back to the middle of the 20th century. The injection of federal funds in 2007 recognised the value of the existing chaplaincy services and since has enabled more than 2000 state schools across the nation to benefit from having a chaplain on staff.

It is expected the Rudd Government will give serious consideration to renewing and even expanding funding.

Greg Foot, Scripture Union Chaplaincy Support Officer (Letters to the Editor, The Mercury, 3 November 2009)

See also School Chaplaincy Program – funding threat and petition.

Please pray for our school chaplains, Scripture Union and the many volunteers who have a passion to input into our children’s lives with pastoral care and guidance through this valuable program.