Motivational speaker Reggie Dabbs has been speaking in Victorian state schools. But he has not revealed to students that he is an American preacher. Mr Dabbs has been delivering motivational speeches at Victorian state schools, angering parents who say the presentation is deceptive and goes against the ideals of a secular education. Elwood Secondary College said they cancelled an upcoming talk by Mr Dabbs following a complaint from a parent. He has previously spoken at Nossal High, Mentone Girls Secondary and Macleod P-12 College and will speak at Mount Waverley Secondary College next week. Videos on YouTube show the American preaching at church events and praising Jesus.

Lobby group Fairness in Religions in School is concerned that some motivational speakers were circumventing rules that ban proselytising in state schools. FIRIS spokeswoman Lara Wood said they told schools they wanted to share their inspiring story. "They talk about how they experienced all these difficulties. And then say this is how I got out of it – I gave my life to Jesus Christ," Ms Wood said. She said the main aim was to promote religious "blue light disco-style" events with free food, prizes, motivational speakers and DJs. Some Victorian schools that have hosted Mr Dabbs have gone on to encourage students to attend his church events. According to Ms Wood, this is where the real work takes place.

"At this second event they encourage kids to give their life to Jesus and join their youth groups." Ms Woods said churches went out of their way to find speakers who appealed to students. US Christian rapper Young Chozen, also known as Blake Young, has also been performing at Victorian state schools. "It's a clever formula. They know presenting yourself as a cool dude from the US will break down the barrier. You don't appear to be some nerdy Christian. You speak their language," Ms Wood said. Compass Community Care, the charitable arm of the Compass Church in Bentleigh, said they employed Mr Dabbs as motivational speaker and not as a religious speaker.

The organisation's chairman Phill Brake said the school assembly programs tackled issues like drugs and alcohol, bullying and self-esteem and did not contain any religious content or promote any religious organisations or events. "To date we have not had one complaint from any of the 200 plus assembly presentations we have co-ordinated," he said. "[Mr Dabbs'] messages are incredibly positive and inspiring and without fault align to all the requirements of state schools." One parent, who did not want to be named, said schools needed to ask more questions about motivational speakers. "Many of us have made a choices to send our children to secular schools and we want that to be protected," they said.

An Education Department spokesman said speakers from religious organisations could attend state schools but must not promote a particular religion unless it was in special religious instruction. Last August, the Andrews government announced that special religious instruction would be axed from the Victorian curriculum and replaced with respectful relationship, global cultures, ethics and faith education. The 30-minute religion classes must now be delivered during lunchtime or before or after school. Mr Dabbs was contacted for comment.