REGIONAL parents have NSW education minister Rob Stokes in their sights after they resolved to campaign for alternative options to scripture in schools.

NSW P&C officials passed a motion on Saturday to write to Education Minister Rob Stokes to change the rules that prevent students, who opt out of scripture or ethics classes, from doing any educational activities while Special Religious Education (SRE) or Special Education in Ethics (SEE) is being offered.

Not-for-profit organisation Primary Ethics told The Leader earlier this month that no school in the Tamworth or Gunnedah region offers ethics classes as an alternative to scripture, but it was keen to change that.

District P&C Federation president Rachael Sowden seconded the motion at the conference and said local parents wanted more options.

“Local parents have long wanted an option that is not SRE or SEE,” she said.

“Teachers and school staff often talk to the crowded curriculum and lack of time to do all that is required at school. This move frees up time, and then like any other extra curricular activity your child does at school, like sport, band, choir, chess or drama, they don't stop the learning activities for those who don't participate. 

“It is still a very viable option for the parents who want their children to attend scripture and this will in no way detract from that.

“But it allows the rest of the students to get on with their education.”

Mrs Sowden said the wants and needs of local communities should be taken into consideration and those with a high non-attendance rate for religious or ethics classes could consider other “meaningful” options.

“In school based surveys carried out by some of our local high school P&Cs previously, the empirical data was that as few as 10 per cent of students in high schools attend SRE. This level of non-attendance puts a real question mark as to why our children are being stopped from learning, and even being able to do homework.”

A spokesman for Mr Stokes told Fairfax Media this week the government would not be "revisiting its position".

"Any move to allow students to participate in formal classes during this time will unfairly disadvantage students who have a legal right to attend these classes (Education Act),” he said.

A Department  spokesman said policy required schools to provide meaningful activities for students whose parents have withdrawn them from special religious education.

“Where it is reasonably practicable and requested by a parent/caregiver, this may include the option of special education in ethics (SEE),” he said.

“Principals are advised that no academic instruction or formal school activities occur during time set aside for special religious education. Such activities create conflict of choice for some parents and students attending special religious education.”