Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic scripture classes are growing rapidly in NSW public schools, and students are on waiting lists for the popular ethics classes.

But as the popularity of the religious and ethics classes grows, some academics argue that segregating children based on religious faith, or for other classes, has detrimental effects and is at odds with the inclusive philosophy of public education.

Students from St Fiacre's Primary School in Leichardt praying for the Pope. Credit:Steven Siewert

Ethics classes, which started in 2011, had about 13,000 students this year, up from 8000 12 months ago.

About 250,000 students in NSW public schools get Christian religious education, with the largest providers coming from Catholic and Anglican churches.