THE Queensland government will review religious education in state schools after claims a popular program was “soliciting” students to become Christian.

Windsor State School principal Matthew Keong wrote a letter to parents last week, suspending the long-standing Connect syllabus at his school.

Mr Keong said the program “contravenes policy that prohibits proselytising”.

“Connect’s lesson materials go beyond imparting knowledge of Biblical references, and extend to soliciting children to develop a personal faith in God and Jesus to become a Christian or ‘Kingdom Kid’,” he wrote.

media_camera The Education Department is reviewing material that some claim is soliciting children to become Christians.

“The whole program appears to be based on that premise of trying to solicit them for a decision to become the kind of Christian prescribed in the materials.”

Education Minister Kate Jones said on Tuesday the Education Department was reviewing the material.

“I am concerned content outside the guidelines of this long-standing policy may currently be being provided in state schools,” she said.

“Any materials found to be in breach of the policy will be removed from schools.”

In the letter, Mr Keong says he will review religious instruction programs to make sure they comply with legislation before implementing them at the school.

Originally published as Govt program ‘soliciting’ for religion in schools