PARENTS have claimed a victory in the dispute over teaching religion in schools, with the Education Department changing controversial guidelines so that students who opt out of the classes must now be given meaningful activities.

Sophie Aitken, one of three parents who have taken legal action against the department on the grounds the classes are discriminatory, said the changes represented a win for parents.

The new policy says principals must ensure students who do not attend are appropriately supervised by teachers and engaged in "positive, independent learning such as self-study".

It says this could include revision, community service, peer mentoring, participation in clubs or instruction in areas outside the core curriculum.

The changes come after complaints that children who opted out were not allowed to do other school work and some were forced to sit at the back of the class, or were unsupervised in corridors while religious instruction was taught.