Catholic schools are taking a stand against children in detention, a policy they say violates basic human rights and is inconsistent with their Christian values.

And, in a public commitment to refugee children, the schools have also pledged to provide free schooling to all refugees in Sydney Archdiocese schools.

Courtyard protest

Dan White, the executive director of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney, has condemned Australia’s treatment of refugees and asylum seekers and encourages his students to speak up if they are uncomfortable with the government's policies.

“Sydney’s Catholic schools have had a long tradition of encouraging our students to actively engage with social justice issues,” he said. “I just hope that in 20 years time when there is some government inquiry into how we treated children in detention that our young people can stand up and say that at least their voice was heard.”