THE School Education Minister Peter Garrett has called on the opposition to work with the government to ensure the School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program will continue in Australian schools.
"We made it very clear that we are committed to maintaining funding for the chaplains' program and are considering our next steps following the High Court's decision," he said.
"Chaplains and welfare workers currently in schools will remain in place, and the money we have already provided will remain with schools.
"We are working to resolve the issue and provide certainty to chaplain providers and schools as soon as possible.
"The Gillard government has always supported the program, because we know schools and students value the work of chaplains and welfare workers.
"That's why we extended the scheme for a further three years and have rolled it out to an extra 1000 schools."
Mr Garrett said the government was contacting scheme providers to advise of the High Court's ruling, and would continue to update schools.