COMPULSORY religious studies would be dropped in favour of lessons on human society and the environment under a plan being considered by school authorities.
But Jewish and Christian groups warned yesterday that ending mandatory teaching of religion to primary school students would increase intolerance and division.
The NSW Board of Studies is considering changes to the syllabus for kindergarten through to Year 6 that reduce the number of mandatory subjects.
Teachers would have more time to focus on helping students with literacy and numeracy as well as greater flexibility to develop their lessons, says a consultation paper released by the board.
The paper suggests teaching students about the customs, practices, symbols, languages and traditions of their family and community as part of a mandatory subject called human society and its environment. But mention of religion has been dropped.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff said yesterday he was very concerned about the proposed changes, which would apply to all primary school students. Religious schools in NSW teach religion as a separate subject.
In most other states, teaching a basic understanding of religions and cultural diversity is part of the curriculum.
"We live in a multicultural society and it is critical that people, especially from a young age, are not only familiar with the differences in our society but are comfortable with these differences," said Mr Alhadeff, whose board has written a submission for the board of studies.
"And the best way to achieve that is in a classroom where there is nothing exceptional about it being taught."
Other community leaders said they were concerned that as a result of the changes, religious schools would be able to teach their own religion but would have no obligation to mention the existence of others.
"With so many conflicts in the world at the moment based on religion, this seems extraordinary," one said.
Christian Schools Australia said it also had concerns about the plan, although a spokesman said its schools taught students about the existence of all religions, not just Christianity.
"To not discuss openly and fully the background of the Australian community is both un-Australian and potentially divisive," said CSA chief executive Stephen O'Doherty.
"I think it works against the interests of the public schools and works against the interests of tolerance and respect for each other."
Inspector of primary education Margaret Malone said the NSW Board of Studies had consulted widely with the education sector about the proposed changes.
Ms Malone said consultations would continue until February, after which final decisions about the curriculum would be made.
The discussion paper followed a comprehensive report into how teachers taught, assessed and reported on the mandatory areas of the primary school syllabus, she said. The report suggested the syllabus was too specific.
"This (the proposed change) is about ensuring the mandatory requirements are flexible and manageable," she said. "The curriculum now is overcrowded."