Dozens of Victorian schools have abandoned religious instruction after the state government moved the controversial program out of regular class time.

Lobby group Fairness in Religions in Schools said at least 55 schools had axed the program this year following changes introduced by the Andrews government, which they support.

Many Victorian schools have dropped special religious instruction due to government changes that prohibit teaching the material during class time. Credit:Joe Armao

The state's largest provider of special religious instruction, Access Ministries, said they expected the figure would rise.

In 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.