The Educational Approach

During the 1970’s theorists recognised that the aim of religious education within the school was different to the to the rest of the classroom programs being taught in Catholic schools.

Graham Rossiter and Gerard Rummery, two Australian theorists made significant contributions to the educational approach in Australia.

Gerard Rummery began to conceptualise religious education in Australian schools as other than catechesis. (Whenman, 2012).

Graham Rossiter argued that teachers need to be clear about the nature of catechesis and the nature of religious education and the context in which each should take place. Rossiter believed that when we have a clear understanding of the two, teachers will realise that each takes place in different contexts and they will develop appropriate aims for each. (Ryan, 1997).

catechetical activities were best suited outside of the classroom. Rossiter developed the view that religious education in the classroom was educational and catechetical activities were best suited outside of the classroom. (Rossiter, 1987, p. 9).

Reflection Identify aspects of teaching religion and teaching people to be religious in a particular way.