A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry will examine whether ethics classes in NSW schools should be abolished less than a year after they began, prompting accusations of a deal between the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, and the Christian Democratic MP Fred Nile.

The inquiry, which will report by June, will be conducted by a committee dominated by conservative MPs, including the Liberals David Clarke and Marie Ficarra, and Mr Nile's colleague Paul Green.

The government ... moved for the inquiry to be established yesterday during debate of Fred Nile's private member's bill that seeks to abolish ethics classes. Credit:Jon Reid

It will examine the objectives and effectiveness of the classes, the curriculum and whether the legislation that allows them to be taught as an alternative to special religious education should be repealed.

The government will also establish an annual ''celebration of special religious education'' to recognise the efforts of scripture teachers.