The federal opposition says it will be a shame if the High Court rules against the national school chaplaincy program.
The costly federal program initiated by the Howard government has placed about 2500 chaplains in public schools to help guide students' spiritual wellbeing.
But Queensland father Ron Williams is challenging the policy in the High Court, arguing it is unconstitutional and a waste of taxpayers' money.
The court's full bench is expected to rule on the policy by the end of the year.
Opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne says he hopes the policy will survive.
"If the High Court rules that school chaplains can't operate in government schools I think that'll be a shame because the chaplains have been a really good improvement in many government schools," Mr Pyne told Network Ten.
"If on the other hand they rule the chaplains can continue, well, it's a good program, the coalition started it, supports it and will continue to fund it."
Mr Pyne said the program provided children with someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on. But he conceded they should not be preaching to children.
"It's a matter for the High Court to determine what the line will be."
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young said the program was a pointless waste of money.
"(This) $222 million of taxpayers' money could be spent on qualified counsellors and support officers for students."
Front page
RSS Feed