More than 55 per cent of the 5939 students in the city’s government schools identified as being of faith.

The figures suggest mandatory religious education may not be as unnecessary as detractors claim. 

At Wagga High School, 697 of a total 1046 students listed Christianity on their enrolment form while at Turvey Park Public, 311 of 365 students identified as Christian. 

Meanwhile, 70 per cent of pupils at Ashmont Public nominated as having no religion. 

Under department guidelines, all schools must set aside at least 30 minutes per week for special religious education.

Those who do not go to scripture or ethics classes are prohibited from undertaking educational activities while they are being offered.

It has prompted the state’s P&C to urge the state government to allow students to do "worthwhile activities" if they opt out of religious classes.

"(We are) highly disappointed that the government rejected a recommendation that students not enrolled in these classes be allowed to complete their regular schoolwork during scripture time,” a spokesperson for the group said.

Wagga mum-of-two Dianne West agreed with P&C’s sentiment, frustrated her children are left to “twiddle their thumbs”. 

“It’s effectively exclusion for not being religious,” she said.

“Even if only 40 per cent of the kids aren’t religious, surely that’s enough to hold an actual class.”